Walter Dieter

Who was Walter Dieter?

Walter Perry Dieter, OC was a Canadian First Nations leader. He was the founding chief of the National Indian Brotherhood in 1968, which is today known as the Assembly of First Nations.

Dieter was a Cree, born on the Peepeekisis Reserve near Balcarres, Saskatchewan. He enlisted with the Regina Rifle Regiment during the Second World War but was turned away due to his tuberculosis.

He became the Regina Friendship Centre's first aboriginal president. In 1966, he became head of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and served in that role until 1968.

In 1980 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for his work towards better education and social conditions for aboriginal Canadians.

He died of cancer in Regina and was buried on the Okanese Reserve.