Harold Cardinal

Harold Cardinal (1945–2005), an author and prominent First Nations leader, spent his life working to develop and preserve First Nation culture. In 1968, he became the youngest elected president of the Indian Association of Alberta (1968–1977) and initiated programs to uphold Indigenous culture, religion and traditions. He fought against the 1969 Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian Policy (otherwise known as the White Paper) and authored powerful novels that brought the injustices to light. In 2001, Cardinal was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. His work is remembered and taught around the world.