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Canada Without
Poverty is pleased to announce the appointment of Ovide
Mercredi, OM (Order of Manitoba) as Canada Without Poverty’s
second Honorary Director, following the appointment of Ed
Broadbent, PC, CC, Ph.D. in July.
Ovide Mercredi is a Cree who currently serves as the Chief of Misipawistik Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, the community of his birth in January 1946. A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Law degree, Chief Mercredi practiced criminal law and later specialized in constitutional law as an advisor to Manitoba Chiefs. He has worked tirelessly for the rights of First Nations people throughout Canada. He is known as a First Nations leader that speaks eloquently with great passion and clarity. In 1989 , he was elected Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Manitoba. He became a key strategist for the Assembly during the time of the Meech Lake Accord constitutional reform discussions. He also had a strong leadership role in helping to resolve the Oka Crisis in 1990. Chief Mercredi was elected as National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations in 1991. During his first term he led the negotiations for the First Nations in the Charlottetown Accord. He was re-elected in 1994 and served as National Chief until 1997. He addressed the United Nations in Geneva and New York. He led a human rights delegation of Canadians to the troubled area of the Mexican state of Chiapas. In addition to serving as a lawyer and politician he co-authored “In the Rapids: Navigating the Future of First Nations” with Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond in 1993. He has contributed articles to other publications. In his spare time, he enjoys writing poetry but is unpublished. Chief Mercredi is an advocate of non-violent methods for change and travelled to India when he was nominated for the Gandhi Peace Prize. He has received honorary degrees from Bishops University, St Mary’s University, The University of Lethbridge and Athabasca University. In 2007 he was appointed Chancellor of The University College of the North in Manitoba. He is also the National Spokesperson for Treaties 1to 11, having been chosen in a traditional and customary manner in the summer of 2006. As National Chief he worked closely with Elders from all regions of Canada. As a Treaty Spokesperson, he has continued his practice of seeking the advice and support of traditional Elders. Chief Mercredi is a strong believer in a positive future for all First Nations communities and recognizes the inherent strength and talents of First Nations people. He has made hundreds of speeches in different venues. He once said: “I say that I am an optimist about our future because I know that when we come together as men and women, as Elders and children, for the collective good of our people and the advancement of our communities and our societies, not only will we benefit , but Canada as a whole will benefit.” He has always maintained that his people possess the answers to their needs and aspirations. To him healing can be accomplished by the simple application of traditional values such as respect and kindness. Founded in 1971 as the National Anti-Poverty Organization, Canada Without Poverty is a charitable, non-partisan organization working in alliance with the CWP Advocacy Network to eradicate poverty in Canada by promoting income and social security for all Canadians, and by promoting poverty eradication as a human rights obligation. Canada Without Poverty pursues this mission through education, research and direct service delivery. ----- Rob Rainer |
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