Born in 1949 at Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba, he is a former band chief, provincial and federal legislator and long-time advocate for First Nations people and indigenous and human rights in Canada and abroad. As the MLA for Rupertsland (1981-1992), a first for a Manitoba treaty Indian, he also served as minister of northern affairs. In 1990, he gained national attention when he opposed passage in the provincial legislature of the Meech Lake Accord, a Canadian constitutional amendment, citing lack of adequate participation and recognition of Aboriginal people in the process. As the member of parliament for Churchill (1993-97), he was instrumental to the signing of The Framework Agreement Initiative with Manitoba chiefs. His international advocacy has taken him around the world including the International Court of Justice at The Hague, the United Nations in New York, and reconciliation meetings in Australia and New Zealand. Presently on the board of the National Centre for First Nations Governance, he continues to promote human and Aboriginal rights.
