Ovide Mercredi
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Ovide Mercredi OM |
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| President of the Manitoba New Democratic Party |
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Assumed office February 7, 2015 |
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| Leader |
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| Preceded by | Ellen Olfert |
| National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations |
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In office 1991–1997 |
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| Preceded by | Georges Erasmus |
| Succeeded by | Phil Fontaine |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 30, 1946 Grand Rapids, Manitoba, Canada |
| Political party | New Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Beryle Taylor (d. 2004) |
| Alma mater | University of Manitoba |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Ovide William Mercredi OM (born January 30, 1946) is a Canadian politician. He is Cree and a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He was elected president of the Manitoba New Democratic Party in 2015.
Mercredi attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a degree in law in 1977. While a student he became President of the first native students' association formed in Canada. He was elected Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Manitoba in 1989. Mercredi had specialized in constitutional law, and became a key strategist for the Assembly during the time of the Meech Lake Accord constitutional reform discussions. He also had a strong leadership role in resolving the Oka Crisis.
Mercredi was elected as National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, the national political body representing over 600 First Nations chiefs across Canada. During his first term, Mercredi played a major role in the Charlottetown Accord constitutional discussions. He was re-elected as National Chief in 1994, and served until 1997. As National Chief, Mercredi addressed the United Nations in both Geneva and New York. He also led a Canadian delegation to the troubled area of the Mexican state of Chiapas.
In addition to serving as a lawyer and politician, Mercredi is a noted author. He co-wrote, with Justice Mary Ellen Turpel Lafond, the 1993 book In The Rapids: Navigating the Future of First Nations.
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