MAY 17, 1943

BILLY DIAMOND BORN–GRAND CHIEF, GRAND COUNCIL OF THE CREES

Born in the Cree Nation of Waskaganish in Quebec (QC), Billy, at age 7, was sent to residential school in Ontario (ON), forced to cut his hair, and forbidden to speak Cree. In high school in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, he co-founded the Indian Student Association, was on its Executive Committee, and was its newsletter editor. He was band manager of Waskaganish in the 1960s before becoming chief of the Cree nation (1970-76). As Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Cree of QC (1974-84), he was a prime mover & signatory of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and was chairman, in 1975, of the Cree Regional Authority created to help implement the agreement. From 1980-83, Billy helped obtain inclusion in the Constitution, 1982 of sections 25 & 35 protecting Aboriginal rights. He also chaired the Cree school board and was president of Air Creebec. Awards: National Order of Quebec (1986); National Aboriginal Achievement Award (1997). Diamond died September 30, 2010, in Waskaganish.

Sources:  

Bennett McCardle, “Billy Diamond,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, published 1/30/2008; last edited 11/13/2020.  Retrieved 1/27/2023, Billy Diamond | The Canadian Encyclopedia.

Wikipedia

Photo:  Government of Quebec, 1987. Fair Use. Source: Billy Diamond – Ordre national du Québec (gouv.qc.ca) [Cropped].