AMC Grand Chief Biographies
BIOGRAPHIES
  • Grand Chief Ron Evans (2005 - current)
  • Grand Chief Dennis White Bird (2000 - 2005)
  • Grand Chief Rod Bushie (1997 - 2000)
  • Grand Chief Phil Fontaine (1989 - 1997)
  • Grand Chief Louis Stevenson (1987 - 1989)

  • Grand Chief Messages (2005 - current)

    • Mission Statement:
    "To maintain a unified central forum for political advocacy, policy research, analysis, discussion with a focus on nation building based on treaty and aboriginal rights in order to better the lives of First Nations people"


    Biography:

    Born in 1957, Grand Chief Ron Evans has lived in and advocated for Norway House Cree Nation, a community of 5000 people located at the northern shores of Lake Winnipeg, for most of his life.

    Ron has been married to his wife Betsy (nee Paupanekis) for 31 years and they have three children--Dale, Darrell (Tracy) and Kristen (Christopher)--and seven grandchildren. Ron's family life is very important to him. He has managed to successfully maintain a balance between his commitment to his family and his career as a political leader.

    At the age of 22 in 1979, Ron was the youngest person to ever be elected Band Councillor in Norway House. He was elected as Chief of Norway House in 1996 and remained in that position until July 2005 when he was elected as Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, a position he currently holds.

    During his time as Chief of Norway House, the community grew and saw major improvements including a community recreation complex, mall, hotel, day care centre, 38 km of paved roads, 395 new housing units, upgrades to the hospital, an ambulance service, cell phone service, community-based education opportunities, a wide range of government and service buildings and much more. He was instrumental in the development of Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Resource Centre, one of the best educational facilities in Manitoba's First Nation communities, and entering into a partnership arrangement with the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba to establish a full range of dental services within the community.
    As Grand Chief of AMC, Ron promotes unity, strong governance, economic development and community infrastructure development. During his tenure as Grand Chief, he has been instrumental in the development of Governance House, which when completed will be the first urban reserve in Winnipeg history. Land has been secured and development is well underway on the project, a First Nations centre of government and economic development currently being developed in west Winnipeg. His strong working partnership with Premier Gary Doer has led to the provincial government's recently announced commitment to speeding up the Treaty Land Entitlement process. He also successfully negotiated with the Manitoba government to secure permits for the "Rocky Mountain Doubles" program with Gardewine North, allowing trucks to double the load in shipments to northern Manitoba, creating substantial savings for remote communities.

    On October 12, 2001, Ron's contributions to the economic progress in Norway House were honoured by his receiving the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) Economic Development Award.

    In December 2002, Grand Chief Evans was presented with the Golden Jubilee Medal on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the accession of HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN to the throne. This Award is presented to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to Canada, to their community or to their fellow Canadians.

    He was also awarded the Order of the Buffalo Hunt by the province of Manitoba in 1998.

    Dennis White Bird was elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) on August 30, 2000. Prior to his election, Dennis White Bird served as Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) for 2 1/ 2 years. Dennis was born and raised on the Rolling River First Nation. His first language is Ojibway. He taught for the public school system for 7 years prior to serving political office.

    Dennis White Bird was also Chief of the Rolling River First Nation for 18 years. While serving as Chief, he was a successful negotiator for Treaty Land Entitlement in Manitoba. His home community, Rolling River First Nation was the first community to receive community ratification. It was entitled to acquire up to 19,080 hectares of new reserve land. The Province of Manitoba was expected to provide 954 hectares of Crown land and Canada was to provide $8,503,742 to enable Rolling River First Nation to purchase up to 18,126 hectares of land as insufficient Crown land was available.

    While serving as Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, Dennis White Bird was appointed the Executive Member in Charge of Treaties. Grand Chief Dennis White Bird continues in the footsteps of his great grandfather, Chief Wapi Penaise (White Bird), who served as the second Chief of the Rolling River First Nation, in leading First Nations to a better future.

    In his capacity as AFN Regional Chief, Dennis White Bird was involved in the promotion of First Nations Languages. He remains very committed to language retention and revival.

    Grand Chief Dennis White Bird has a strong interest in promoting First Nations youth issues especially education and has encouraged many First Nations youth to complete their education and training. He has worked closely with the Manitoba First Nations Youth Council, an initiative of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
    In his address to the Chiefs and delegates of the annual assembly for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Grand Chief Dennis White Bird proclaimed his commitment to the Manitoba Framework Agreement initiative as a process to establish recognition of self-determination and First Nations jurisdiction.


    Rod Bushie was elected as Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in August 1997. He is an Ojibwa from the Hollow Water First Nation where he received his early education. Rod also served as Chief for his home community prior to being elected as Grand Chief.

    Rod Bushie always has ben proud of his fluency in his Native language and his main goal as Grand Chief was to help address the grassroots needs of Manitoba First Nations. He believes in accountability, visibility and accessibility for leaders. He has stated that he believes in empowerment and respect as two fundamental principles for any leader. The critical issues that he is committed to include:

  • Improving the Child and Family Services program;
  • Supporting youth to use their talents and energy positively;
  • Establishing effective, First Nations-controlled Health Services;
  • Expanding education and training initiatives;
  • Preserving and actively using First Nations languages;
  • Establishing a First Nations justice system;
  • Promoting employment equity;
  • Increasing access to crown lands for traditional livelihoods;
  • Promoting opportunities for First Nations businesses and enterprises;
  • Promoting sufficient resources for a basic infrastructure such as adequate housing, roads and sewage;
  • Arranging for PST and GST exemptions;
  • Developing a province-wide First Nations Gaming Commission; and
  • Working cooperatively with First Nations to establish self-government.


    		•

    Phil Fontaine was elected to the Office of Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 1989, reaffirmed by acclamation in 1991 and reelected in 1994. In 1997 he was elected National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Under Phil Fontaine's leadership, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs attained national prominence during the Meech Lake Accord, and also with the historic Framework Agreement to implement the inherent right of self government to restore First Nations jurisdiction to First Nations of Manitoba.

    Larry Phillip (Buddy) was born at the Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation on the Fort Alexander Reserve in Manitoba on September 20, 1944. Phil has two children, Mike and Maya, and three grand- children.

    Phil's early life was spent in his home community where he attended a Residential School operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at Sagkeeng. His first language is Ojibway. He also attended the Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg and he graduated from Powerview Collegiate in 1961. Phil later attended the University of Manitoba where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Studies in 1981.

    He was first elected to the position of Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 1989, reaffirmed by acclamation in 1991 and re-eelcted in 1994. Prior to his election as AMC Grand Chiefs, Phil represented Manitoba at the Assembly of First Nations level as Vice-Chief. He was previously employed by the federal government and Southeast Tribal Council. At the age of 28, Phil was elected Chief of the Sagkeeng First Nation where he served a four-year term.

    He was one of the recipients of the 1996 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in recognition of his community service record. Phil was instrumental in producing the historic agreement to implement the inherent right of self-government through the Manitoba Framework Agreement Initiative. He is a strong proponent of self-determination, community healing and following the path to achieve individual wellness. His message to the young is to dream, believe in yourself and achieve your goals. He is an excellent role model for both First Nations and Canadian youth.

    At the very beginnings of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Chief Louis Stevenson was appointed the Provincial Leader of the new organization. Chief Louis Stevenson was first elected Chief of Peguis First Nation in 1981. He is well known for his commitment to enhancing the lives of First Nations people. He is currently in his 10th consecutive term in that position. Among the many awards and recognitions Chief Stevenson received through the years for his service to First Nations people are an eagle feather from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation and a National Aboriginal Achievement Award.

    His employment history includes serving as an Education Counsellor for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Manitoba region. In 1979, he was the first Director of the Manitoba Indian Student Services, an organization that was established by the Manitoba Chiefs to provide education services for secondary and post-secondary students.

    He was re-elected Chief of the Peguis First Nation in March 2001.