Sydney McKay
Sydney Julien McKay was born in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan on February 9, 1950. He moved with his mother Margaret to Thompson, Manitoba September 1963, in time to start school immediately.
Not happy with the $2 allowance he received on Saturdays, he delivered newspapers which he wasn’t enthusiastic in doing. His next job was being an usher at the local theater where he earned 75 cents an hour but resulted in 12 to 15 dollars on paydays. Sydney graduated from R. D. Parker Collegiate in 1969 and was immediately offered a job with the Manitoba Metis Federation as Regional Manager of the Thompson Region. He was recruited to the Board of a new Cree Radio Program, which he named Native Communications Inc. Today he is the only living original member of NCI.
Sydney continued his education at Brandon University and, before attaining a degree, was recruited by the Federal Government Job Creation Branch. After 15 years with the Federal Government, he walked away to join The Keewatin Tribal Council. “I left the Feds because I was not climbing that ladder of Success!” The Manitoba Director General met with Sydney to offer him the position of Manager of The Pas Canada Employment Center. Sydney told him he was too late as he had made a commitment to the First Nations. It was an honor issue.
Sydney served as Vice-President of the Thompson Region for 3 years and joined the Swampy Cree Tribal Council. Within 6 months, Sydney was the Executive Director serving 8 First Nations.
Sydney joined the assembly of Manitoba Chiefs with Phil Fontaine as the Grand Chief. He moved back to The Pas to Manage the Keewatin First Nations Employment and Training for the North District.
After all these years, Sydney moved back to Saskatchewan to be with Mother who was ill and went on her final journey in January 2006. Sydney was Business Development Officer for the Nuna Group of companies and later with Hobbs and Associates. He then started his own Indigenuity Management Services with First nation as his clients. Still today he owns majority of IMS. Sydney doesn’t know if he will ever retire.
Chief Rene Chaboyer of Cumberland House Cree Nation asked Sydney to lead the Elders Committee which he proudly accepted the Honor. Sydney is also an Elder technician with the Treaty 5 self-government initiative and The Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.
Creator has given me an exceptional life. Tapwe gitchi Kisay-Mantoo kinanaskomitin. Ekosi.