National Chief Phil Fontaine - The Economy and First Nations
Monday, March 30, 2009 - 7:00 PM
University of Winnipeg's Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall
515 Portage Avenue
National Chief Phil Fontaine is a dedicated and highly respected leader in Canada. He has been instrumental in facilitating change and advancement for First Nations people from the time he was first elected to public office as Chief, at the young age of 28. He is a proud member of the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and still plays an active role in the support of his community.
BIO: Phil Fontaine, B.A., LL.D. (R.M.C.), LL.D. (Brock), LL.D. (Windsor), LL.D. (Lakehead), LL.D. (U of Winnipeg)
In the early 1980's, Phil Fontaine was elected to the position of Manitoba Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. When his term expired in 1991, he was elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs where he served three consecutive terms. He played a key role in the development of Manitoba's Framework Agreement Initiative, in the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord, and signed an Employment Equity Agreement with 39 federal agencies. In 1997 he stepped onto the national stage where he was elected to the highest elected position in First Nations politics, National Chief. He is now serving an unprecedented third term in office.
