Phil Fontaine

National Chief, Assembly of First Nations, 1997 – 2000, 2003 – 2009
Co-chair, National Campaign

Phil Fontaine’s leadership extends beyond Canada’s First Nations community to benefit all Canadians and bring Indigenous messages to the international stage. The youngest from an Ojibway family of twelve, he is a proud member of Manitoba’s Sagkeeng First Nation. Chief Fontaine’s mother was the first Indian woman in Canada to be elected to a band council.

Elected as Chief in his own community at the age of 28, he established the first Indian controlled education system in Canada, a locally operated child and family services agency, and the first on-reserve alcohol and addictions treatment centre in the country. In the early 80s he was elected to the position of Manitoba Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, and in the 90s was elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. He became National Chief in 1997 and is now serving an unprecedented third term.

Himself a former residential school student, Chief Fontaine led the resolution and settlement of Indian residential schools claims, the largest, most comprehensive settlement in Canadian history dealing with over $5.2 billion in individual compensation.