The Empire Club of Canada is proud to announce the 2021 Nation Builder of the Year Award will be awarded to Chief Perry Bellegarde, First Nations leader and human rights advocate at a special virtual event on December 9, 2021.  

Chief Bellegarde is a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations with a record of achievement built over 35 years in First Nations leadership and advocacy for Indigenous rights, human rights, and building bridges within Canada and globally. 

The award comes as Chief Perry Bellegarde completed his second term as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in July of this year, a term that was capped off by his leadership of the federal parliament’s passage into law of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, foundational to reconciliation. 

His stellar record shows his unwavering belief in processes that unite rather than divide, as one who builds people up, and whose work has contributed to Canada being a stronger nation through his steadfast advocacy of First Nations’ and Indigenous Peoples’ rights and priorities. 

As part of the event program, the Empire Club will be announcing an exciting contribution to the Perry Bellegarde Leadership Scholarship at the First Nations University of Canada.

Please join us on December 9th at 12 Noon EST. This event is offered free to the public.