David Chartrand

David N. Chartrand, (January 23, 1960) is a Métis politician and activist who has served as the democratically elected President of the Manitoba Métis Federation since 1997.

He is the longest serving President of the Manitoba Métis Federation's history, currently serving an eighth term following the 2022 unprecedented mass acclamation of all elected officials.

He was born January 23, 1960, to Martha Chartrand, the fourth of eight children.

Raised in Duck Bay, Manitoba, he is the brother of Elbert Chartrand.

He was raised in a Salteaux-speaking household, where he learned Red River Métis culture and traditions.

When he moved to Winnipeg in 1982, Chartrand started his career working with youth, and later became the manager of The Manor Hotel, from 1982 to 1985.

He then worked as a Probation Officer with the Department of Justice for the Province of Manitoba between 1986 and 1990.

He was first elected to the Manitoba Métis Federation Board of Directors, from the Winnipeg Region in 1988 and was re-elected four successive times to that position.

He has held numerous volunteer positions including Vice-President of the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg, President of the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres, President of the National Association of Friendship Centres and, a founding director and president of Beat the Street, an adult literacy program in Winnipeg.

From 1990 to 1997, he continued his career with the Province of Manitoba, serving as the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Court Worker's Program for the Department of Justice.

He has also served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Métis National Council from 1997 to 2021 and held a variety of portfolios, prior to the withdrawal of the Manitoba Métis Federation from the Métis National Council in 2021, over concerns that the Métis National Council was allowing the distortion of the nationally accepted definition of Métis.[2].

He has also served on the board of the Northern Justice Society (Simon Fraser University) and served as a Board of Director for the Manitoba Métis Federation for 10 years prior to becoming President in 1997.

He also served as a member of the Premier's Economic Advisor Committee for the Province of Manitoba.

He was preceded in Métis politics by his older brother Elbert Chartrand.

Elbert was the executive director of the Swan River Indian and Métis Friendship Centre and served as Manitoba Métis Federation Vice-President for the Northwest Métis Council region.

After a promise made to the Red River Métis Veterans of Canada in 1997, Chartrand fought diligently for over 20 years for the recognition of Red River Métis Veterans.

In 1999, Chartrand began the Métis Human Resource Development Agreement program that has delivered employment and training to thousands of Métis people.

Chartrand initiated an Executive Policy Committee to strengthen the Federation's governance structure, policies and procedures.

He was instrumental in establishing the group pension plan for the employees of the Federation, the first ever in the history of the Federation.

He has overseen major governmental initiatives, including the establishment of the first-ever Red River Métis specific post-secondary Scholarship and Bursary Endowment Fund in 1999.

Through the Louis Riel Institute and the Post-Secondary Education Program, the Manitoba Métis Federation has provided millions in bursaries and funding to Red River Métis university and college students, valued at over $24 million today.

He also led Constitutional Reform, including the adaptation of the National Métis Definition, which initiated a membership reform within the Federation in 2002.

In 2003, Chartrand led and negotiated the devolution of Métis Child and Family Services.

Through his leadership, mandated agencies were developed and implemented throughout the province.

In keeping with his vision to provide the best health care opportunities for the Red River Métis, the first ever Red River Métis-owned and operated pharmacy, MEDOCare was opened for business on December 8, 2012.

In 2014, healthcare support was expanded through a program offering prescription glasses for Red River Métis Elders.

In 2016, on Louis Riel Day, the Manitoba Métis Federation Prescription Drug Program was launched, with the Manitoba Métis Federation covering the cost of prescription drugs for all Red River Métis Elders in Manitoba.

An estimated 4,000 citizens gathered to vote overwhelmingly in favour of the treaty, capping off negotiations that began in 2016, and three intensive months of consultation.

As President, Chartrand championed Red River Métis Land Claims, and made significant contributions to the harvesting rights won in Ontario through the R. v. Powley case.

These efforts came into fruition on June 13, 2019 when the $30-million-dollar Métis Veteran's Agreement was signed and an apology issued to all Métis veterans and their families.

Chartrand recognized that improvements were needed to communicate Red River Métis issues, policies and events with members of Manitoba's Métis Community.

He established the “Métis Hour x 2” an award-winning radio broadcast that reached across the Province of Manitoba.

The radio show promotes Red River Métis culture, history, current events, community events, weekly report from the Office of the President and overall promotion of the Métis Community.

Chartrand also established “Le Métis”, a two-page, full-colour, insert in the Grassroots News Aboriginal newspaper, with a distribution of approximately 40,000 throughout the Province of Manitoba.

In September of 2021, following a 2019 mandate from Citizens at an Annual General Assembly, Chartrand led the Manitoba Métis Federation to withdraw from the Métis National Council over concerns that the Council was allowing the distortion of the accepted definition of Métis by member organizations.

In 2022 the Metis National Council filed a lawsuit against its former president and the Manitoba Metis Federation alleging financial malfeasance, irregularities and questionable contracts.

The lawsuit alleges Chartrand and former leadership made deals to financially benefit themselves.

The national council is seeking $15 million in damages.

Chartrand denies the allegations.

In June 2023, President Chartrand led the National Government of the Red River Métis to an Extraordinary General Assembly, where Citizens were asked to vote on a Red River Métis Self Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty with Canada.