12 Facts About Romeo Saganash

Diom Romeo Saganash was born on October 28,1961 and is a Cree lawyer and former politician from Canada.

Romeo Saganash was born on October 28,1961, in Waswanipi, a native community in Quebec.

Romeo Saganash attended law school at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal and in 1989 he became the first Cree to receive a law degree in Quebec.

Romeo Saganash was the Deputy Grand Chief to The Grand Council of the Crees of James Bay from 1990 to 1993, and he later served as director of Quebec relations and international affairs for over ten years.

From 1997 to 2000, Romeo Saganash chaired the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment.

Romeo Saganash was one of 59 NDP MPs elected for Quebec ridings, and the party overall achieved its best showing in a federal election to date by becoming Official Opposition to the Conservative government, which rose from minority to majority standing.

On September 16,2011, Romeo Saganash announced that he was running for the leadership of the NDP, to succeed Jack Layton, who had died the previous month.

Romeo Saganash is believed to be the first Indigenous person to run for the leadership of a major Canadian party.

Romeo Saganash withdrew on February 9,2012 citing illness in his family and a lack of confidence in his campaign.

On March 7,2012, Romeo Saganash announced that he would support Mulcair for NDP leader.

Romeo Saganash cited the death of his "friend and mentor" Jack Layton, as well as the "profound scars" he received while in the residential school system, as the reasons for his dependency.

Romeo Saganash completed his treatment in November 2012, and returned for the start of the House's first session of 2013.