Chief Derek Nepinak, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

Chief Derek Nepinak was one of the youngest people to be elected Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. He is quickly becoming one of the strongest voices in the struggle for Aboriginal rights in Canada. Born in Winnipeg, Chief Derek Nepinak, spent his first few years living in the home of his grandparents on the Pine Creek First Nation where he was able to live and observe the ways of his people; hunting, fishing, gardening, smoking fish, tanning moose hides and other traditional activities. Many years later, he interrrupted his studies for his Masters in Aboriginal Governance at University of Winnipeg to return home where he became the Chief of the Pine Creek First Nation in 2009. Two years later, he became Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.   He holds a first-class honours degree from the University of Alberta, a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has completed the intensive program aboriginal lands, resources and governance at Osgoode Hall law school. Just before his appearance at the People's Social Forum, he made headlines by urging people to boycott Sun News. "The pro-Conservative anti-First Nations slant being falsely sold to Canadians as 'news' is robbing many people who read the tabloid paper from being properly informed about what is actually happening in this country."