David Chartrand facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Chartrand
President of the Manitoba Métis Federation
Incumbent
Assumed office 1997 – present
Personal details
Born	(1960-01-23) January 23, 1960 (age 65)

David N. Chartrand is a respected Métis leader and activist. He was born on January 23, 1960. Since 1997, Mr. Chartrand has been the elected President of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). This makes him the longest-serving president in the MMF's history. The MMF is the official government of the Red River Métis. From 1997 to 2021, he was also part of the Board of Governors for the Métis National Council. The MMF later left the Métis National Council in 2021. They did this because they were worried that the definition of Métis was being changed by other groups.

David Chartrand's Early Life

David Chartrand was born on January 23, 1960. He is one of eight children. He grew up in Duck Bay. His family spoke Saulteaux, and he learned a lot about Red River Métis culture and traditions.

Chartrand's Career Journey

After moving to Winnipeg in 1982, Mr. Chartrand started working with young people. He also managed a hotel for a few years. From 1986 to 1990, he worked as a Probation Officer. This meant he helped people who had been in trouble with the law. From 1990 to 1997, he was the leader of a program that helped Indigenous people in court.

Starting in Politics

Mr. Chartrand was first elected to the Manitoba Métis Federation Board of Directors in 1988. He represented the Winnipeg area and was re-elected four times.

He also volunteered in many important roles. He was a leader at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg. He also led the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres and the National Association of Friendship Centres. He helped start Beat the Street, a program to help adults learn to read and write.

He was a Director for the Manitoba Métis Federation for 10 years before becoming President in 1997. His older brother, Elbert Chartrand, was also involved in Métis politics before him.

Leading the Manitoba Métis Federation

As President, Mr. Chartrand has started many important programs for Métis people.

• In 1999, he started the Métis Human Resource Development Agreement program. This program helps Métis people find jobs and get training.
• He created a special committee to help guide the Federation's rules and plans. He also helped set up a retirement plan for Federation employees.
• He led changes to the Federation's rules, including adopting the National Métis Definition. This helped make sure that membership rules were clear.

Education and Health Initiatives

Under his leadership, the MMF has focused on education and health.

• In 1999, the first scholarship fund for Red River Métis students was created. Through the Louis Riel Institute, the MMF has given money to many Red River Métis university and college students. This fund is now worth over $24 million.
• In 2003, Mr. Chartrand helped create Métis Child and Family Services agencies across Manitoba. These agencies help Métis children and families.
• The first Red River Métis-owned pharmacy, MEDOCare, opened in 2012.
• In 2014, a program was started to provide prescription glasses for Red River Métis Elders (seniors). In 2016, the MMF began covering the cost of prescription drugs for all Red River Métis Elders in Manitoba.

Supporting Métis Veterans

Mr. Chartrand worked for over 20 years to get recognition for Red River Métis Veterans of Canada. This led to a $30-million agreement and an apology to all Métis veterans and their families on June 13, 2019.

Communication and Outreach

To keep the Red River Métis community informed, Mr. Chartrand started the "Métis Hour x 2" radio show. This show talks about Métis culture, history, and current events. He also started "Le Métis," a special section in the Grassroots News Aboriginal newspaper.

Self-Government and Legal Matters

In September 2021, the Manitoba Métis Federation left the Métis National Council. This decision was made after citizens voted for it. The MMF was concerned that the definition of Métis was being changed by other groups.

In 2022, a lawsuit was filed against the Manitoba Métis Federation and its former president. This lawsuit made claims about how money was handled. Mr. Chartrand has said these claims are not true.

In June 2023, under Mr. Chartrand's leadership, the Red River Métis government held a big meeting. Citizens voted to approve a treaty with Canada for Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation. This vote followed many years of talks.

Legal Work for Métis Rights

One of Mr. Chartrand's first actions as President was to restart the Red River Métis Land Claims case. The Manitoba Métis Federation won a big case in the Supreme Court of Canada in 2013. The court said that the Métis community's claim was important for bringing together the Métis people and Canada.

This court decision helped with other important cases, like the 2016 Daniels case. This case recognized the Métis Nation as having special rights under the Canadian Constitution.

• In 2016, the MMF and the Government of Canada signed an agreement to work together on reconciliation.
• In 2021, they signed another agreement to move forward with reconciliation.
• On July 6, 2021, Mr. Chartrand signed the Manitoba Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement with Canada. This agreement recognizes the Manitoba Métis Federation as the national government of the Red River Métis. It is the first Métis self-government agreement and is a step towards a modern treaty for the Red River Métis.
• On November 30, 2024, Mr. Chartrand signed the Red River Metis Recognition and Implementation Treaty with the Government of Canada.

David Chartrand's Personal Life

Mr. Chartrand is married to Glorian Yakiwchuk. She is a Red River Métis businesswoman. They live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and are raising their granddaughter, Martha Chartrand. Mr. Chartrand was raised in a Roman Catholic family.

Awards and Honors

Mr. Chartrand has received many awards for his leadership and work.

• He received the Golden Eagle Award from the Indigenous Women's Collective.
• He also received the Eagle Feather from the Friendship Centres of Ontario.
• His picture is on the Honour Wall of Fame at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg.
• In 2002, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.
• In 2004, he received The Manitoba Order of the Sash from the Métis Nation.
• In 2012, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Winnipeg.
• Also in 2012, he received Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal.
• In 2013, he was given the Order of Manitoba.
• Also in 2013, he received the Order of the Métis Nation.
• In 2017, he received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.
• In 2022, he was the first Indigenous person to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the India Canada Cultural and Heritage Association.
• Also in 2022, he received the Lanza Llanera Order of Democracy from Colombia.
• In June 2023, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
• On February 20, 2025, Mr. Chartrand received the King Charles III Coronation Medal. He received it for his leadership and for creating education and health opportunities for the Red River Métis.