Brian Bowman, the new mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Photo from Facebook

Brian Bowman, the first Metis mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was sworn into office on Tuesday.

Bowman, 42, who was elected last month, has Cree ancestry from his mother's side of the family. He isn't registered with any Metis groups but said he is proud of his heritage.

"We've always been identifying as Métis — family members, my sister, my cousins," Bowman told CBC News last month.

Bowman comes to the office with no prior political experience. He beat a field of several challengers, including one whose wife had to apologize for making disparaging remarks about Native people.

Robert-Falcon Ouellette. Photo from Twitter

The third finisher was newcomer Robert-Falcon Ouellette, the director of the Aboriginal Focus Program at the University of Manitoba. He had hoped to become the first Native mayor of the city.

Get the Story:
Mayor Brian Bowman pitches policy while picking up bread, posing for selfies (CBC 11/5)
Bowman appoints EPC, breaking campaign promise (The Winnipeg Sun 11/5)
Bowman sworn in, announces executive policy committee members (CBC 11/4)
Brian Bowman, Winnipeg's new mayor, proud to be Metis (CBC 10/23)

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