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Ovide William Mercredi, O.C., O.M., lawyer, Indigenous leader (born 30 January 1946 in Grand Rapids, MB). Ovide Mercredi is a lawyer and Cree leader. He worked for the recognition of Indigenous Rights.
Early Advocacy
As a student, Ovide Mercredi was president of the first Indigenous students' association. After graduating, Mercredi practised law until 1983. Following this, he became legal adviser and then director of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). In 1990, he helped the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs block the Meech Lake Accord (see Meech Lake Accord: Document).
National Chief of the AFN
In 1991, Ovide Mercredi succeeded Georges Erasmus as national chief of the AFN. Three years later, Mercredi won a second term as national chief of the AFN. He was a prominent participant in the constitutional discussions of 1991–92. These discussions resulted in the Charlottetown Accord (see Charlottetown Accord: Document). Mercredi served as the chief of his home community, Misipawistik Cree Nation in Manitoba.
Honours and Awards:
- Nominated – Gandhi Prize
- Thakore Foundation Award (1993)
- Member, Order of Manitoba (2005)
- Officer, Order of Canada (2021)
