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11 Facts About Georges Erasmus

1.

Georges Erasmus was the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 1985 to 1991.

2.

Georges Erasmus became president of the Dene Nation in 1974 and while president fought against the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.

3.

Georges Erasmus was the federal New Democratic Party candidate in 1979 for Western Arctic riding.

4.

Georges Erasmus was national chief of the Assembly of First Nations during the Oka Crisis.

5.

Georges Erasmus was appointed to the Order of Canada as a member in 1987, and was promoted to officer in 1999.

6.

Georges Erasmus has been awarded honorary doctorates by seven Canadian universities, including the University of Toronto, Queen's University, and the University of Manitoba.

7.

Georges Erasmus was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Western Ontario in June 2006.

8.

Georges Erasmus is a committed advocate, political leader, and well-respected spokesperson for Indigenous peoples in Canada.

9.

In 1976, Georges Erasmus presented to the Berger Inquiry the Dene's position to the proposed pipeline.

10.

However, it is important to stress that Georges Erasmus speaks from his location as a member of the Dene and his intellectual thoughts would be influenced by his relationships with his elders and his position within his community.

11.

At an early point in his intellectual and political life, Georges Erasmus began to highlight the importance of de-colonization and how this must be based on collective action.