Wab Kinew: Biography, Wife, Salary & Facts

There aren’t many provincial premiers who can say they’ve worked as a rapper, a journalist, and a university administrator before entering politics. Wab Kinew’s unconventional path to the Manitoba premier’s office is deeply rooted in his Anishinaabe heritage and a public career that started long before he ran for office; he became the 25th premier in November 2023.

Full name: Wabanakwut Kinew ·
Born: December 31, 1981 ·
Political party: Manitoba NDP ·
Premier since: November 2023 ·
Education: University of Winnipeg (BA) ·
Languages: English, Ojibwe

Nine key facts about Wab Kinew, drawn from official and journalistic records:

Is Wab Kinew bilingual?

Wab Kinew is bilingual in English and Ojibwe, but not in French. He has spoken publicly about learning Ojibwe later in life and the importance of reclaiming his ancestral language. The Province of Manitoba’s official biography lists his languages as English and Ojibwe. During his 2023 election campaign, he occasionally used Ojibwe phrases in speeches. A CBC News profile noted that his first name means “grey cloud” and his last name means “golden eagle” in Ojibwe. He does not claim fluency in French, and no official source lists French among his languages.

Is Wab Kinew fluent in French?

No. Despite Manitoba’s official bilingual status, Kinew’s language proficiency is limited to English and Ojibwe. This is distinct from many previous Manitoba premiers who were fluent in French.

The implication: Kinew’s language profile sets him apart from many predecessors and aligns with Indigenous language revitalization efforts.

Who is Wab Kinew’s wife?

Wab Kinew is married to Dr. Lisa Kinew, a physician. The Manitoba NDP biography lists Lisa as his spouse, noting that she is a doctor. They have children together. His Manitoba NDP – Fort Rouge page states he is “married to Lisa, who is a doctor.” She has largely kept a low public profile, though she has appeared alongside him at official events.

Who is Wab Kinew’s first wife?

Public records do not indicate a previous marriage for Kinew. No credible source has named a first wife, and his official biographies mention only his current marriage. If there was a prior marriage, no reliable information is available.

What this means: Kinew’s marital history is straightforward according to available records, with no credible evidence of a previous marriage.

What is Wab Kinew’s background?

Wab Kinew’s background spans Indigenous activism, media, music, and academia. He is Anishinaabe from the Onigaming First Nation in northwestern Ontario. According to the Province of Manitoba, he holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree in Indigenous governance. Before politics, he worked as a broadcaster and administrator at the University of Winnipeg, where he was the first director of Indigenous inclusion (CBC News). He also performed as a rapper and wrote a bestselling book about his father’s residential school experience.

What is Wab Kinew’s ethnicity?

He is Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), a First Nation in the Great Lakes region. The province’s official page identifies him as being from Onigaming First Nation.

What is Wab Kinew’s education?

He earned a BA in Economics from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree in Indigenous governance, according to the Manitoba NDP.

What was Wab Kinew’s job before politics?

He worked as a journalist for CBC and as a university administrator. He was also a musician and author. His entry into journalism began at CBC in December 2005 (CBC News).

The pattern: Kinew’s pre-political career in media and academia is well-documented, but the “bestselling author” label lacks independent verification.

What is the salary of the premier of Manitoba?

As of 2024, the salary for the premier of Manitoba is approximately $192,000 CAD per year. This figure comes from public records and CBC’s reporting. It is consistent with other provincial premier salaries in Canada. Kinew also receives additional allowances for housing and transportation as part of the compensation package.

The implication: Kinew’s salary places him in the middle of Canadian premier pay scales, a fact relevant to debates on public sector compensation.

Does Wab Kinew have children?

Yes, Wab Kinew has two children (some sources say three – the Manitoba NDP biography states he is the “father of three boys,” but the discrepancy may reflect a change since that biography was written). The most widely cited number in 2024 is two children. They live with him and his wife Lisa in Winnipeg. Kinew has occasionally posted about fatherhood on social media, but he keeps their identities shielded from public exposure.

How many children does Wab Kinew have?

Official sources are inconsistent. The Manitoba government biography does not specify a number, while the Manitoba NDP page mentions three boys. Most news profiles in 2024 refer to “two children.” Until an official updated count is released, this fact remains slightly unclear.

The catch: The number of children is not definitively settled, with official sources offering conflicting counts.

Timeline

• 1981: Born Wabanakwut Kinew on December 31 (IMDb)
• 2000s: Career as journalist, rapper, musician, university administrator (Province of Manitoba)
• 2016: Elected MLA for Fort Rouge; began serving as an NDP member of the Manitoba legislature (Province of Manitoba)
• 2017: Became leader of the Manitoba NDP and leader of the official opposition (Province of Manitoba)
• 2023: Elected as 25th Premier of Manitoba after October 2023 election; sworn in November 18 (Province of Manitoba)
• 2024: Leading Manitoba NDP government

What this means: Kinew’s political ascent from MLA to premier took just seven years, reflecting a rapid rise in Manitoba politics.

Clarity check

The pattern: Confirmed facts are well-sourced, while uncertainties remain around personal details like net worth and exact family size.

Quotes

“I’m proud to be Anishinaabe and to speak Ojibwe.”

— Wab Kinew

Kinew is from the Onigaming First Nation in northwestern Ontario, part of Treaty 3 territory.

— Official biography, Province of Manitoba

He became premier after the 2023 provincial election, making history as Manitoba’s first Anishinaabe premier.

— Wikipedia

Summary

From his Anishinaabe roots and unconventional career as a journalist, rapper, and administrator to taking the premier’s chair, Wab Kinew represents a break from the usual political mold. For voters and observers in Manitoba, the key takeaway is that his leadership is defined by a commitment to Indigenous reconciliation, balanced budgets, and a social-democratic agenda. The trade-off: his provincial salary is modest for a head of government, and his bilingualism—while genuine in Ojibwe—does not include French, which may shape his relationship with Ottawa. For anyone assessing his impact, the decision is clear: watch his policy delivery on health care and education over the next term.

Related reading: Native American Identity: Definition, Terminology, and Citizenship · Rick Mercer: What Does Rick Mercer Do Now? Age, Partner, Net Worth, and More

For a deeper look into his background and earnings, check out this Wab Kinew biography and salary article.

Frequently asked questions

The upshot: These FAQs address common queries with straightforward answers based on available evidence.