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Perry Bellegarde

Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

Perry Bellegarde
Why "Truth" and "Reconciliation" Aren't One and the Same
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Building a Better Country Together
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Ensuring a Prosperous First Nations Future
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Investing in First Nations Communities
Perry
Perry Bellegarde Thumb 1
Perry Bellegarde Thumb 3
Perry Bellegarde Thumb 2
Perry Bellegarde
Why "Truth" and "Reconciliation" Aren't One and the Same
Perry Bellegarde Thumb 1
Building a Better Country Together
Perry Bellegarde Thumb 3
Ensuring a Prosperous First Nations Future
Perry Bellegarde Thumb 2
Investing in First Nations Communities

Chief Perry Bellegarde has dedicated his life to championing the rights and well-being of First Nations. For 35 years, he has held various First Nations leadership roles, including two terms served as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). Chief Bellegarde believes passionately that at the heart of the original Treaty relationship sits a vision of peace and friendship that is the key to building a better and brighter future for Canada.

A member of Little Black Bear First Nation, Chief Bellegarde credits the wisdom shared by the First Nations Elders of Saskatchewan for instilling in him a deep sense of pride in his culture, as well as a lasting conviction that Indigenous knowledge and values are crucial to building a more just and inclusive society. He describes himself as an oskâpêwis, a Cree word meaning “helper”, and he believes this understanding of the role and responsibilities of a leader applies to many walks of life.

Chief Bellegarde has championed that vision through all his leadership roles. First, as the Tribal Council Representative for the Touchwood-File Hills-Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, and then as the Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Councillor and Chief of Little Black Bear First Nation, and National Chief of AFN, a position he held from 2014-2021.

As National Chief, Chief Bellegarde campaigned tirelessly to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and other families in Canada. He led the AFN through a period of profound transformation in public awareness of First Nations concerns and priorities. Critical accomplishments include the passage of Canada’s first national legislation recognizing and protecting Indigenous languages, much needed changes in how government services in First Nations communities are funded, and securing a legal commitment to a national implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Chief Bellegarde also influenced the acknowledgement of Indigenous Rights in the final Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Advisory Council. He has also raised the international profile of First Nations expertise on sustainable development, promoting rights-based solutions to climate change. He is currently a special advisor to Fasken, an international law firm, and serves on the First Nations Bank of Canada Board of Directors and as a special advisor to His Majesty King Charles III’s Sustainable Markets Initiative.

In recognition of his work, Chief Bellegarde has been awarded the Confederation Medal; the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal; and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Golden Jubilee Medal, and Platinum Jubilee Medal. He is also the recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from both Queen’s University and Lakehead University. In 2021, Chief Bellegarde was named “Nation Builder of the Year” by the Empire Club of Canada and the Honorary President of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

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