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David Chartrand
David N. Chartrand, OM (January 23, 1960) is a Métis politician and activist who has served as the elected President of the Manitoba Métis Federation since 1997. He is the longest serving president in the federation's history, currently serving an eighth term following the 2022 election. From 1997 to 2021, he was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Métis National Council and held a variety of portfolios. The Manitoba Métis Federation withdrew from the Métis National Council in 2021, citing concerns that the latter was allowing the nationally accepted definition of Métis to be distorted. Early lifeChartrand was born on January 23, 1960, to Martha Chartrand, and is one of eight children. He was raised in Duck Bay, and is the brother of Elbert Chartrand. Raised in a Salteaux-speaking household, he learned Red River Métis culture and traditions. Early careerAfter moving to Winnipeg in 1982, Chartrand began working with youth, and later managed The Manor Hotel from 1982 to 1985. From 1986 to 1990, he worked as a Probation Officer with the Department of Justice for the Province of Manitoba. From 1990 to 1997, he was the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Court Worker's Program for the Department of Justice. Political beginningsChartrand was first elected to the Manitoba Métis Federation Board of Directors, representing the Winnipeg Region, in 1988, and was re-elected four times. He has held numerous volunteer positions, including Vice-President of the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg, President of the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres, President of the National Association of Friendship Centres, and a founding director and president of Beat the Street, an adult literacy program in Winnipeg. He has also served on the board of the Northern Justice Society (Simon Fraser University) and as a Director for the Manitoba Métis Federation for 10 years before becoming President in 1997. He also served as a member of the Premier's Economic Advisor Committee for the Province of Manitoba. His older brother Elbert Chartrand, the former executive director of the Swan River Indian and Métis Friendship Centre and Manitoba Métis Federation Vice-President for the Northwest Métis Council region, preceded him in Métis politics. President of the Manitoba Métis FederationIn 1999, Chartrand started the Métis Human Resource Development Agreement program, which has provided employment and training to Métis people. Chartrand initiated an Executive Policy Committee to strengthen the Federation's governance structure, policies, and procedures. He helped establish the group pension plan for Federation employees, the first in the Federation's history. He also led Constitutional Reform, including the adaptation of the National Métis Definition, which initiated membership reform within the Federation in 2002. He has overseen major governmental initiatives, including the establishment of the first Red River Métis specific post-secondary Scholarship and Bursary Endowment Fund in 1999. Through the Louis Riel Institute and the Post-Secondary Education Program, the Manitoba Métis Federation has provided millions in bursaries and funding to Red River Métis university and college students; the fund is valued at over $24 million today. In 2003, Chartrand led negotiations for the devolution of Métis Child and Family Services, leading to the development and implementation of mandated agencies throughout the province. The first Red River Métis-owned and operated pharmacy, MEDOCare, opened on December 8, 2012. In 2014, healthcare support was expanded through a program offering prescription glasses for Red River Métis Elders. In 2016, on Louis Riel Day, the Manitoba Métis Federation Prescription Drug Program was launched, with the Manitoba Métis Federation covering the cost of prescription drugs for all Red River Métis Elders in Manitoba. After a promise made to the Red River Métis Veterans of Canada in 1997, Chartrand advocated for over 20 years for the recognition of Red River Métis Veterans, leading to the signing of the $30-million Métis Veteran's Agreement and an apology to all Métis veterans and their families on June 13, 2019. Chartrand established the “Métis Hour x 2,” an award-winning radio broadcast that reaches across Manitoba, to communicate Red River Métis issues, policies, and events. The radio show promotes Red River Métis culture, history, current events, community events, and includes a weekly report from the Office of the President. Chartrand also established “Le Métis”, a two-page, full-colour, insert in the Grassroots News Aboriginal newspaper, with a distribution of approximately 40,000 throughout Manitoba. In September 2021, following a 2019 mandate from Citizens at an Annual General Assembly, Chartrand led the Manitoba Métis Federation to withdraw from the Métis National Council, citing concerns that the Council was allowing the accepted definition of Métis to be distorted by member organizations. In 2022 the Métis National Council filed a lawsuit against its former president and the Manitoba Metis Federation alleging financial malfeasance, irregularities and questionable contracts. The lawsuit alleges Chartrand and former leadership made deals to financially benefit themselves. The national council is seeking $15 million in damages. Chartrand denies the allegations.[1] In June 2023, Chartrand led the National Government of the Red River Métis to an Extraordinary General Assembly, where citizens voted in favor of a Red River Métis Self Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty with Canada. According to reports, an estimated 4,000 citizens gathered to vote after negotiations that began in 2016, and three months of consultation. Legal contributions to the recognition of Métis rightsAs President, Chartrand championed Red River Métis Land Claims and contributed to the harvesting rights won in Ontario through the R. v. Powley case. One of his first acts upon election was the reinstatement of the Red River Métis Land Claims case. The Manitoba Métis Federation won the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) v. Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada recognized that the claim of the Manitoba Métis Community was "not a series of claims for individual relief" but a "collective claim for declaratory relief for the purposes of reconciliation between the descendants of the Métis people of the Red River Valley and Canada" and granted the MMF standing, concluding "[t]his collective claim merits allowing the body representing the collective Métis interest to come before the court". The decision further held that "[t]he unfinished business of reconciliation of the Métis people with Canadian sovereignty is a matter of national and constitutional import" and issued a declaration "[t]hat the federal Crown failed to implement the land grant provision set out in section 31 of the Manitoba Act, 1870 in accordance with the honour of the Crown". This opened the door to subsequent Supreme Court decisions like the 2016 Daniels case that recognized the Métis Nation as section rights holders under the Canadian Constitution. On May 27, 2016, the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Government of Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Advancing Reconciliation, to foster engagement in an exploratory discussions process to develop a mutually agreeable Framework Agreement. In 2021, the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Government of Canada signed a Negotiators Agreement to advance reconciliation consistent with section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. On July 6, 2021, Chartrand represented the Manitoba Métis Federation in signing the Manitoba Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement with Canada, which recognizes the Manitoba Métis Federation as the national government of the Red River Métis. This agreement is the only Métis self-government agreement, and is intended to pave the way for a modern-day treaty for the Red River Métis. Personal lifeChartrand is married to Glorian Yakiwchuk, a Red River Métis businesswoman from Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. They reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba and are raising their granddaughter, Martha Chartrand. Chartrand was raised in a Roman Catholic household. Chartrand was audited by Canada Revenue Agency and flagged for not reporting income. The tax agency reassessed his tax returns and increased his employment income by $35,148 in 2004 and $37,460 in 2005 to include his omitted expense allowances.[2] Honours and awardsChartrand has received the Golden Eagle Award from the Indigenous Women's Collective, the Eagle Feather from the Friendship Centres of Ontario, and his picture has been placed on the Honour Wall of Fame at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg. Chartrand was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne. In 2004, he received The Manitoba Order of the Sash by resolution of the Métis Nation at the 36th Annual General Assembly of the Manitoba Metis Federation. In 2012 he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Winnipeg . Also in 2012, Chartrand received the Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2013 he was invested into the Order of Manitoba. Also in 2013, he received the Order of the Métis Nation at the Métis National Council Annual General Assembly March 24, 2013. In 2017, he received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. In 2022, he became the first Indigenous recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the India Canada Cultural and Heritage Association. Also in 2022, Chartrand received the Lanza Llanera Order of Democracy from the Republic of Colombia’s Assembly of Meta Department. In June 2023, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal at an Extraordinary General Assembly held to ratify the Red River Métis treaty with Canada. References |
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