Tony Belcourt

Tony Belcourt is the founding president of the Native Council of Canada. In 1971, he was instrumental in creating a national voice for Canada’s Métis and non-status Indigenous people and his efforts were an important contributing factor to Métis being recognized in the 1982 Constitution Act.

Belcourt is also the founding president of the Métis Nation of Ontario and helped to achieve recognition of existing Métis constitutional rights in the 2003 Supreme Court decision R. v. Powley.

Recognized internationally for representing the Métis Nation at the United Nations and the Organization of American States, Belcourt is a champion of access and appropriate use of information and communication technologies by Indigenous people. He is co-chair of the Aboriginal Education Council at the Ontario College of Art and Design University.

“On the longer term, true and full reconciliation with Indigenous peoples needs to begin at home and in the classroom—all areas of teaching and learning,” says Belcourt. “I hope to add my experience to help establish a culture of decolonization and Indigenization at Carleton University.”

Now regarded as a Métis Elder, Belcourt is often invited to present on Indigenous culture, history and traditions. He received an honorary doctorate from Lakehead University in 2010 and was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in 2013.

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