Background
Keeper was born in Berens River, Manitoba.
Keeper was born in Berens River, Manitoba.
University of Winnipeg. Carleton University.
He is an aboriginal Canadian, of Métis background. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg, and a Master of Arts degree from Carleton University. He worked for the government of Manitoba from 1970 to 1975, and was director of the Native Family Life Counselling Program in Winnipeg from 1975 to 1977.
Keeper was elected to the Winnipeg City Council in 1977, defeating incumbent councillor Robert Steen (ironically, Steen was elected Mayor of Winnipeg on the same night).
Keeper was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1980 federal election, narrowly defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative Bob Lane in Winnipeg—Saint James. Throughout 1982 and 1983, he made frequent calls for the Trudeau government to place a greater focus on Canada"s worsening unemployment situation.
Keeper left Winnipeg—Saint James to seek the NDP nomination for Winnipeg North Centre in the 1984 federal election, under somewhat controversial circumstances. lieutenant was generally assumed that Winnipeg—Saint James would become more favourable to the Progressive Conservative Party after redistribution.
Winnipeg North Centre, by contrast, was one of the safest NDP seats in the country.
Keeper"s candidacy was said to have annoyed other New Democrats, who wanted to recruit a star candidate for seat. He also announced his support for the Meech Lake Accord in 1987. He lost to Liberal challenger David Walker in 1988.
Two years later, he arged that many poor residents of his riding had been denied the right to vote because enumerators were reluctant to enter their neighbourhoods.
He did not blame his own defeat on a flawed enumeration methods. Keeper sought the NDP"s Winnipeg North Centre nomination again for the 1993 federal election, but lost to Maureen Hemphill.
He campaigned for re-election to Winnipeg City Council in 1995 as a candidate of Winnipeg in the Nineties, but lost to incumbent councillor Amaro Silva in the Daniel McIntyre ward. He identified public safety as one of his main concerns.
In May 2005, Keeper, Jim Silver and Michael MacKenzie published a Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives study addressing low turnout rates among aboriginal voters.
He served on council for just over two years, before moving to federal politics. Keeper served as his party"s postal critic in the next parliament, and was a vocal opponent of Canada Post"s plans to reduce rural mail delivery after 1986.
He was a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1980 to 1988, serving as a member of the New Democratic Party.