Manitoba had a Metis premier in the late 1800s and the Nunavut territory currently has an Inuk premier. Kinew, 41 and a former television journalist, would be the first Canadian premier who identifies as First Nations. The Conservatives, currently led by Manitoba's first female premier, Heather Stefanson, 53, have ruled the western farming, mining and manufacturing province since 2016. Manitoba's legislature has 57 seats and a party needs to win 29 to win a majority and govern without another party's support. Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba Editing by Denny Thomas and Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Kelly Saunders, Manitoba's, Heather Stefanson, Allen Mills, Rod Nickel, Denny Thomas, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Nations, Kinew's New Democratic Party, Progressive Conservatives, First, Brandon University, Manitoba, Metis, Canadian, First Nations, NDP, Probe Research, Conservatives, University of Winnipeg, Liberals, Thomson Locations: WINNIPEG, Manitoba, First Nations, Nunavut, Winnipeg