Ovide Mercredi

Who is Ovide Mercredi?

Ovide William Mercredi, OM is a Canadian politician. He is Cree and a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Mercredi attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a degree in Law 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 elected as National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, the national political body representing over 600 First Nation Chiefs across Canada. During his first term, Mercredi played a major role in the Charlottetown Accord constitutional discussions. He was re-elected as National Chief in 1994, and served until 1997. As National Chief, Mercredi addressed the United Nations in both Geneva and New York. He also led a Canadian delegation to the troubled area of the Mexican state of Chiapas.