Born and raised in Duck Bay, David Chartrand is the longest-serving president of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). He was first elected in 1996 and is currently serving his fifth term. A champion of Métis rights and interests, governance, social justice, economic and educational issues he has advanced the cause of the Métis Nation at the provincial and national levels. Under his leadership, the MMF successfully challenged Métis land claims in the recent 2013 Supreme Court of Canada decision. He led the development of self-sufficient and sustainable economic models for building sound social and cultural programs for the Métis Nation while increasing its self-government capacity. Mr. Chartrand established the Métis Economic Development Organization and oversaw the distribution of more than $1.5 million in bursaries provided to Métis students through the Louis Riel Institute. He was also instrumental in changing the curriculum in Canadian schools to acknowledge the contributions of Métis leader Louis Riel as the Father of Manitoba. Involved in many organizations, Mr. Chartrand serves on the board of governors of the Métis National Council. In 2012, he received The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Manitoba.
