Assiniboine Community College will be presenting former Grand Chief Phil Fontaine with an honorary diploma in Community Development at the college’s upcoming graduation ceremony in Brandon.

“We are tremendously excited to welcome Mr. Fontaine to Brandon to accept this honour,” said Mark Frison, president of Assiniboine. “His wide body of work advocating for the rights of so many is admirable, and his commitment to the social well-being of Canadians is something our graduates can aspire to emulate.”

"I am very pleased to receive an honorary diploma in Community Development from Assiniboine Community College," said Phil Fontaine, President of Ishkonigan Inc., a successful consulting company he founded in 2009, specializing in Aboriginal relations.

Born on Sagkeeng First Nation, Mr. Fontaine spent his youth attending a residential school operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at Sagkeeng. He also attended Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg, graduating from Powerview Collegiate in 1961.

First elected in 1973, Mr. Fontaine served the first to the first of two terms as Chief of Sagkeeng First Nations. In 1981, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Manitoba and later served as Vice-Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. His leadership during that tumultuous time was instrumental in Manitoba signalling the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord.

Driven to serve, Mr. Fontaine was elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, completing three consecutive terms. In 1997, he was chosen National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations before being appointed as the Chief Commissioner of the Indian Acts Claims Commission.

Mr. Fontaine now serves as a special advisor to the Royal Bank of Canada, as well as offering consulting services to various groups across the country.

The graduation ceremony takes place on Thursday, June 1 at 2 p.m. at the Keystone Centre in Brandon.