Ovide Mercredi appointed to Arctic Gateway Group board

Arctic Gateway Group has appointed Ovide Mercredi to its Board of Directors. Mercredi is a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and a member of Misipawistik Cree Nation.

Ovide Mercredi has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), the Indigenous- and community-owned operator of the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway. Mr. Mercredi is a member and former Chief of Misipawistik Cree Nation and served as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 1991 to 1997. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada and has been involved in national negotiations and constitutional discussions. AGG is owned by 41 First Nations and northern communities and is focused on developing the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway as part of Canada’s Arctic trade corridor. Key details: - Arctic Gateway Group announced the appointment of Ovide Mercredi to its Board of Directors. - Mercredi previously served as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (1991–1997) and was Chief of Misipawistik Cree Nation. - He has been recognized with the Order of Canada and has participated in major national negotiations and discussions, including work related to the Meech Lake Accord, Charlottetown Accord, and the Oka crisis resolution. - Mike Spence, AGG Board Chair and Mayor of the Town of Churchill, said Mercredi is "a nation builder" and that his experience will be important as AGG advances development of the Port and railway. - AGG is owned by 41 First Nations and northern communities and operates the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway, linking The Pas to Churchill. - The current AGG board listed in the announcement includes Chair Mike Spence, Chief Betsy Kennedy, Chief Michael Constant, Ovide Mercredi, Cal Huntley, Gary Rennick, and Paul Rivett. Summary: AGG says Mercredi’s background in Indigenous governance and national negotiation will support the group’s work to develop the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway with an emphasis on benefits for northern and Indigenous communities. The organization frames that work as part of diversifying trade routes and strengthening Canada’s Arctic trade corridor. Undetermined at this time.