He’s an unassuming man who speaks with a soft voice, but don’t be fooled. Phil Fontaine means business.
Fontaine was born on a Sagkeen reserve about 130 kilometres north of Winnipeg almost 65 years ago. One of 12 children, Fontaine had a happy childhood until he was six. That year, his father died and the he was sent to residential school, where he was subjected to physical and sexual abuse.
Incredibly, Fontaine was a good student and graduated from a Winnipeg high school in 1961. Inspired by his mother Agnes — the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to a band council in Canadian history — Fontaine became politically active as a young adult. He joined the Canadian Indian Youth Council and the Company of Young Canadians. He also volunteered for various community development projects.
Though he was a reluctant public speaker, he entered the political fray in 1973 and was elected chief of Manitoba’s Sagkeeng First Nation. He oversaw several initiatives in that role, including the establishment of the first on-reserve addictions treatment centre in Canada.
After serving two straight terms, he headed to the Yukon to become regional director of the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Fontaine left that position in 1980 to go back to school. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in political science in 1981.
A few years later, he was elected Manitoba Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.
Fontaine’s political career started gaining momentum, and he became grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 1991. He made a big impact in that role, helping to defeat the Meech Lake Accord, which called for special status to be given to Quebec but not to First Nations.
Recognized for his success, Fontaine was elected national chief of the Assembly of First Nations six years later.
After being unseated by Matthew Coon Come in 2000, Fontaine was appointed chief commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission (ICC). In that role, he oversaw a $94.6-million land claim settlement for the Kahkewistahaw First Nation.
In 2003, Fontaine left the ICC to run for national chief again. He won the election and soon after helped negotiate the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, widely regarded as his crowning achievement.
The settlement calls for over $5.2-billion in compensation to individuals who were abused in residential schools in addition to education fund, healing resources, commemoration funding and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, modelled after South Africa’s famous post-apartheid inquiry.
The federal government ratified the agreement in 2006, the same year Fontaine was elected to another term as national chief.
Two years later, Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially apologized to former students of Indian residential schools on behalf of the federal government. Fontaine responded in the House of Commons in full regalia and head-dress.
Though it was a great victory, Fontaine refused to rest on his laurels.
Earlier this year, he met with Pope Benedict XVI seeking an apology for the abuses committed in residential schools. The Pope expressed his “sorrow” for “deplorable” treatment in the schools, which were run by the Roman Catholic Church.
Now leaving his post as national chief, Fontaine is heading into a seemingly bright future. Widely respected for his strength of vision and leadership skills, Fontaine is expected to try his hand in the corporate world or turn his attention to mainstream politics.
During a press conference in Ottawa, Fontaine described his time at the helm of the AFN "the best job that I have ever had" but said he would not seek a record fourth three-year term.
Fontaine, 64, from Manitoba’s Sagkeeng First Nation, said he would continue to advocate and work with First Nations and all Canadians "to bring about reconciliation and respect for our peoples."
"This has been my life’s work," he said, "and I will continue to serve my people."
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