Phil Fontaine announced as CTC celebrity walk breakfast guest speaker

Phil Fontaine, who served as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations for an unprecedented three terms, has been announced as the guest speaker at the Children’s Treatment Centre Celebrity Walk and Breakfast kickoff event that’ll be held September 30.

“Phil Fontaine epitomizes the spirit of perseverance, reconciliation and triumph over personal trauma. His example is a real encouragement to many of the families who deal with the centre, and we’re extremely pleased he’s going to be with us,” said Milton Ellis, chair of the Celebrity Walk and Breakfast committee.

The CTC in a news release said that Fontaine, one of Canada’s most respected Indigenous leaders, once reached deep within himself to find hope and healing after traumatic abuse, then led his people on a similar journey. And now he’ll tell his story in Cornwall at the Best Western on what is a special day – Sept. 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Fontaine was born at the Sagkeeng First Nation (formerly known as Fort Alexander) in Manitoba, about 150 kilometers north of Winnipeg. His first language is Ojibway.