Perry Bellegarde

Now is the time to take stock of a painful part of our history. Only then can we move past it. Anything…

— Perry Bellegarde

Indigenous people made huge contributions to this country. The biggest is in sharing the land and resources. People need to see that,…

— Perry Bellegarde

We focus on bringing back Indigenous languages, ceremonies, cultures, traditions - all that was lost over the past 150 years. This is…

— Perry Bellegarde

In Cree, an oskâpêwis is a servant or a helper, someone who hauls in rocks for sweats, or pipes or medicines. I…

— Perry Bellegarde

Being the only Indian in class, I had to be able to stand up and defend myself and debate the others when…

— Perry Bellegarde

Indigenous languages are Canada's national treasures. They are our identity. We simply have to put greater effort into rejuvenating and revitalizing them.…

— Perry Bellegarde

If you want to change a mind, there's no better way than a dialogue over coffee.

— Perry Bellegarde

To be treaty person means coexist in peace and with mutual respect. That's at the core of these treaties. They intended for…

— Perry Bellegarde

Living on reserve we hunted; we fished; we trapped. We lived off the land. If we didn't hunt, we didn't eat. In…

— Perry Bellegarde

Some will say: "Why should we celebrate the birth of colonialism, of oppression, of cultural genocide through Canada 150?" It's 2017. In…

— Perry Bellegarde

I experienced racism in different settings: I was followed in stores, in cars. The way you experience racism depends on how you…

— Perry Bellegarde

Growing up, the major institutions were school and church. We were taught our culture was no good. We didn't have sundances. The…

— Perry Bellegarde

I went to elementary school in Goodeve, Saskatchewan, a small Ukrainian town. I played a lot of hockey, a lot of ball.…

— Perry Bellegarde

We are a nation within a nation.

— Perry Bellegarde

The seven sacred teachings: love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, truth. These are the seven virtues that lead to a full and…

— Perry Bellegarde

My dad died when I was 17. He had heart and other problems. He was a good father, lots of love. But…

— Perry Bellegarde

Canada was founded by two nations: the English and the French. But what about the Mi'kmaq, who opened their doors, who shared…

— Perry Bellegarde

Education will lead to understanding; understanding will lead to action. Education and understanding are going to be key to moving us forward.…

— Perry Bellegarde

My mom could have been a CEO of any company. She was very organized, very strict. She showed us the importance of…

— Perry Bellegarde