17 Facts About Phil Fontaine

Phil Fontaine best known for his central role in raising public awareness of the Canadian Indian residential school system and pushing to secure Federal and Papal apologies in 2008 and 2022 respectively.

Phil Fontaine helped secure a repudiation of Discovery doctrine from Pope Francis on March 30,2023.

Phil Fontaine's father died in 1952, and his mother in 1988.

Phil Fontaine attended the Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg and he graduated from Powerview Collegiate in 1961.

In 1973, Phil Fontaine was elected Chief of the Sagkeeng community for two consecutive terms.

In 1981, Phil Fontaine graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political studies.

Phil Fontaine was one of the Manitoba First Nation leaders who led the opposition of the Meech Lake Accord.

The Aboriginal Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission credits Phil Fontaine for placing the issue of residential schools on the national agenda when in October 1990 he spoke publicly about the abuse that he and his fellow students had experienced at the Fort Alexander school.

Phil Fontaine resigned from the ICC in 2003 in order to run for national chief .

In July 2003, Phil Fontaine was elected to his second term as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Phil Fontaine ran again and was re-elected in July 2006 with almost 76 percent of the vote, defeating Bill Wilson of British Columbia.

Phil Fontaine was re-elected in 2006 on the basis of the "Getting Results" agenda, which proved to be successful.

In 2005, Phil Fontaine successfully negotiated the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which will mean a financial contribution of more than $5 billion to survivors and programs for them.

Phil Fontaine's nephew Jerry Fontaine served as chief of the Sagkeeng Nation from 1989 to 1998, and was a prominent Aboriginal leader in Manitoba.

Phil Fontaine's mandate is to "provide advice and counsel to RBC's Canadian businesses to help the company deepen its relationships with Aboriginal governments, communities, and businesses in Canada".

On March 29,2010, Phil Fontaine joined Norton Rose OR LLP as Senior Advisor and advises Canadian and international clients with First Nations matters, including Aboriginal law, energy, environmental and mining and resources.

Phil Fontaine was made an officer of the Order of Canada on December 30,2012.