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With a Name Like Chief: Reflections on Recovery and Identity Through the Seven Sacred Teachings
Community leader and former Manitoba MLA, Kevin Chief shares his story of strength, resilience, recovery, and identity.
In "With a Name Like Chief," Kevin frankly and honestly recounts growing up in poverty in Winnipeg’s North End, navigating the challenges of growing up in a single-parent home with his alcoholic father, becoming an MVP basketball star and captain of his university team, overcoming his own alcohol addiction to find recovery, and being elected to the Manitoba legislature twice.
Along the way, Kevin shares how many educators and mentors helped him succeed, as well as insights into how the Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe have guided his addiction recovery and helped him gain a sense of his identity.
This memoir will resonate with readers interested in stories about personal growth and the transformative power of community. Foreword provided by Phil Fontaine, OC, OM.
In "With a Name Like Chief," Kevin frankly and honestly recounts growing up in poverty in Winnipeg’s North End, navigating the challenges of growing up in a single-parent home with his alcoholic father, becoming an MVP basketball star and captain of his university team, overcoming his own alcohol addiction to find recovery, and being elected to the Manitoba legislature twice.
Along the way, Kevin shares how many educators and mentors helped him succeed, as well as insights into how the Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe have guided his addiction recovery and helped him gain a sense of his identity.
This memoir will resonate with readers interested in stories about personal growth and the transformative power of community. Foreword provided by Phil Fontaine, OC, OM.
200 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 1, 2026
Was lucky enough to read this on TRC day. Really loved this! It was inspiring and hopeful! I think every Winnipegger should read this as we can all relate intimately with his stories. This book has me feeling good about the future of Canada and reconciliation.
October 8, 2026
Every life is a story, and every story has an arc; an awakening, chance events that led to discovery, adversity overcome, catharsis, change. The story of Kevin Chief is the kind you want to hear because it has an upward arc. We know too well that not all stories head in that direction but, for most of us, our innate compassion finds pleasure in the story that turns out well.
Kevin Chief’s story is gripping because there were periods in his life when he walked close to the edge but did not fall into chaos. There is the sense that his life could have easily trended down rather than up. The episodes in the book are often raw and feel true to what we know about Winnipeg, a city with a pretty high concentration of mean streets. Raised mainly by an alcoholic but loving father, he struggled in school in his early years. He was fortunate to have people in his life who cared; teachers, coaches, neighbours, community members. He gives credit to all of them for anchoring him, seeing potential in him, giving their time to him. But it feels like it was often a lonely path as he questioned whether he belonged.
There are many references in the book to the thousands of stories told to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (TRC) Chief’s father was a residential school survivor and, like most students at these schools, carried the trauma of an evil system designed to smother indigenous culture and identity. With a Name Like Chief is a study in intergenerational trauma but much more than that. It is also a study in courage and human potential. It is a study of the forces that can heal a person and a society.
Chief was a gifted athlete, starring as a point guard on a very good University of Winnipeg basketball team. The power of sport to build community, a sense of belonging and purpose figures large in the story. The best coaches are not simply sport strategists, technically skilled in the finer points of a game. The best coaches care deeply about their players as people and are as interested in developing character as in coaching game tactics. Kevin Chief was blessed to have amazing coaches in high school and university.
Chief was also an alcoholic, falling into a life of quiet despair for a few years after being a team leader at the University of Manitoba. He sought help in Alcoholics Anonymous and was able to turn his life around. He worked at community development and sports organizations helping young people and communities develop. He was elected as a Member of the Legislature, held senior cabinet posts and became Deputy Premier of the Province. He worked closely with senior business leaders in Winnipeg to support economic development. He followed a family tradition in music and entertainment and founded the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers, entertaining across Manitoba. He and his wife have three boys who are obviously at the centre of who he has become. I feel a kinship through that part of the story. I too had an alcoholic father who I admired in many ways. And I too was able to deliberately construct a life that did not follow the path of my father.
Chief credits much of his success to the exploration and guidance of the Seven Sacred Teachings (or Seven Grandfather Teachings) of Anishinaabe culture. These are wisdom, respect, humility, truth, honesty, courage and love. With a Name Like Chief is structured around an explanation of these teachings. Chief says that “the teachings offer a solid framework for understanding your past, for shaping your future and for living a good life.” Chief’s story is an impressive demonstration of how concepts of moral philosophy can make a huge difference in how to actualize human potential for good.
I have heard Kevin Chief speak at meetings. He is an impressive person; his message is authentic and powerful. I have no doubt he has changed lives for the better. With a Name Like Chief is the kind of book you will want to share. It can nudge us all in a positive direction.
Kevin Chief’s story is gripping because there were periods in his life when he walked close to the edge but did not fall into chaos. There is the sense that his life could have easily trended down rather than up. The episodes in the book are often raw and feel true to what we know about Winnipeg, a city with a pretty high concentration of mean streets. Raised mainly by an alcoholic but loving father, he struggled in school in his early years. He was fortunate to have people in his life who cared; teachers, coaches, neighbours, community members. He gives credit to all of them for anchoring him, seeing potential in him, giving their time to him. But it feels like it was often a lonely path as he questioned whether he belonged.
There are many references in the book to the thousands of stories told to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (TRC) Chief’s father was a residential school survivor and, like most students at these schools, carried the trauma of an evil system designed to smother indigenous culture and identity. With a Name Like Chief is a study in intergenerational trauma but much more than that. It is also a study in courage and human potential. It is a study of the forces that can heal a person and a society.
Chief was a gifted athlete, starring as a point guard on a very good University of Winnipeg basketball team. The power of sport to build community, a sense of belonging and purpose figures large in the story. The best coaches are not simply sport strategists, technically skilled in the finer points of a game. The best coaches care deeply about their players as people and are as interested in developing character as in coaching game tactics. Kevin Chief was blessed to have amazing coaches in high school and university.
Chief was also an alcoholic, falling into a life of quiet despair for a few years after being a team leader at the University of Manitoba. He sought help in Alcoholics Anonymous and was able to turn his life around. He worked at community development and sports organizations helping young people and communities develop. He was elected as a Member of the Legislature, held senior cabinet posts and became Deputy Premier of the Province. He worked closely with senior business leaders in Winnipeg to support economic development. He followed a family tradition in music and entertainment and founded the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers, entertaining across Manitoba. He and his wife have three boys who are obviously at the centre of who he has become. I feel a kinship through that part of the story. I too had an alcoholic father who I admired in many ways. And I too was able to deliberately construct a life that did not follow the path of my father.
Chief credits much of his success to the exploration and guidance of the Seven Sacred Teachings (or Seven Grandfather Teachings) of Anishinaabe culture. These are wisdom, respect, humility, truth, honesty, courage and love. With a Name Like Chief is structured around an explanation of these teachings. Chief says that “the teachings offer a solid framework for understanding your past, for shaping your future and for living a good life.” Chief’s story is an impressive demonstration of how concepts of moral philosophy can make a huge difference in how to actualize human potential for good.
I have heard Kevin Chief speak at meetings. He is an impressive person; his message is authentic and powerful. I have no doubt he has changed lives for the better. With a Name Like Chief is the kind of book you will want to share. It can nudge us all in a positive direction.
September 27, 2026
Amazing stories and reflections about love, community, resilience and courage for leading a life purpose and creating a stronger Canada for all.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews