AUGUST 8, 1948

DENE/CREE-MÉTIS INDIGENOUS POLITICAL LEADER/INTELLECTUAL GEORGES ERASMUS BORN

Erasmus was born in Behcheko, Northwest Territories (NWT), to a Tlicho (​Dene) mother and Cree Métis father. After attending high school in Yellowknife, NWT, he was a volunteer with the Company of Young Canadians. From 1976-83, Georges was president of the Indian Brotherhood of the NWT (now Dene Nation) and fought the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. After running unsuccessfully for the House of Commons in 1979, he served as National Chief, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) from 1983 to 1991 and was in that post during the Oka Crisis. In 1991, Georges co-chaired the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The Commission’s report led to both a government statement of reconciliation for abuse at residential schools and the establishment of Nunavut. In 1998, he was Chair of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and from 2003-15, served as chief negotiator for the Dehcho First Nations. Honors: Order of Canada (Member, 1987; Officer, 1999); and Governor General’s Northern Medal (2009).

Source:  Michael John Simpson, “Georges Erasmus,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 1/30/2008, last edited 3/28/2017.  Retrieved 10/10/2023, Georges Erasmus | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Photo: Padraic Ryan, 11/11/2007.  Aboriginal War Veterans Monument, Ottawa, Canada.  Permissive Use.