Ovide William Mercredi, Cree, 1946-
He is an Aboriginal Canadian politician and a former
national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Mercredi and
graduated with a degree in Law from University of Manitoba in
1977. While a student he became president of the first Native
Students’ Association formed in Canada. He was elected regional
chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Manitoba in 1989. Mercredi
had specialized in constitutional law, and 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 resolving
the Oka Crisis. Mercredi was national chief of the Assembly of
First Nations from 1991 to 1997. Mercredi is an advocate of non-violent
methods for change, and has been nominated by the Government of
India for the Gandhi Peace Prize. He has also received honorary
law degrees from St. Mary's University and Bishop's University.
He is the Chancellor of University College of the North in Northern
Manitoba, and is currently serving his first term as the Chief
of Misipawistik Cree Nation in Manitoba.
