Georges Erasmus, Dene, 1948-
He has long been a spokesperson for Canada's native people and
a leader in the struggle for native rights and land claims. In
1976 he became president of the Dene Nation. He retained this
position until he became northern vice-chief of the Assembly of
First Nations (1983-85) and then national chief of the Assembly
from 1985. He has been a delegate to the World Council of Indigenous
Peoples and other international bodies. He was made a Member of
the Order of Canada in 1987. In 1991 he was co-chair of the Royal
Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. A longer biography appears in
Native Leaders of Canada.