NATIVE LEADERS OF CANADA


Noel Starblanket, Cree, 1946-
He was elected chief of the Starblanket Reserve in 1971 and, at the age of 24, was the youngest chief in Canada at that time. After the young Cree was elected a second time, Starblanket became the subject of a National Film Board documentary by the noted filmmaker Donald Brittain (Starblanket, 1973). He was elected to the Executive of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), and held the position of president of the National Indian Brotherhood or NIB (now the Assembly of First Nations) for two terms between 1976 and 1980. While president of the NIB, Starblanket enhanced public awareness of First Nations issues and needs, and contributed to building the Brotherhood into a strong political lobby group. He also served as Director of Treaty Rights and Research for FSIN, and attended law school at the University of Saskatchewan. Starblanket, along with Morley Watson and Vern Bellegarde, creatred a competitive Native hockey team, the Lebret Eaglesof the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey. Starblanket is now involved with Treaty 4 government. Starblanket’s involvement with documentary media continues with the release in 2006 of Starblanket – A Spirit Journey in which he shares his life story and the traditions of his people.





If you wish to submit a correction to this page please e-mail New Federation House.

 
Copyright 2008