It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elder, leader, and mentor Don Robertson.  Don passed peacefully on December 27, 2019. Don was the first Executive Director of the MFNERC in 1999 and was instrumental in the initial development.  He was a respected Elder and spiritual leader. Even in his retirement, Don kept busy supporting MFNERC serving as Elder in Residence for the Special Education department.  He, recently, acted as an Elder in Residence for our Transformation sessions with the First Nations education leadership.

Donald Alexander Robertson was a member of Norway House Cree Nation. Don dedicated his life to the improvement of education for First Nations and Metis peoples of Manitoba.  Don worked for the advancement of education at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. Don helped establish the Brandon University Northern Teacher Education Project (BUNTEP). He was the Dean of Aboriginal Education at Red River Community College.   He served as the director of education for the Island Lake Tribal Council.  As Chair of the Council on Post-Secondary Education (COPSE), he played a role in the improvement of Manitoba’s post-secondary institutions. Don provided leadership and guidance in the establishment of the University College of the North (UCN). 

Through his career, he received many awards for his leadership, including a Doctor of Education (honoris causa) from Brandon University in 1992, the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, and the Order of Manitoba in 2004.

The MFNERC would like to extend our condolences to David Robertson and his family for the passing of his father.