Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 19, 2012
• Invested on: November 22, 2013

Phil Fontaine is a lifelong advocate for First Nations people. Former chief of the Sagkeeng First Nation, he served as grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and, for three consecutive terms, as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He successfully established a process for the settlement of specific land claims, employment equity settlements for Aboriginal workers, and the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.