Harry Daniels: Leader, Social Activist

Harry Daniels was an honourary Métis member, leader, social activist, author, and actor who was born September 16, 1940, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Daniels spent over 40 years in the national and international Aboriginal political arenas, fighting for the rights of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. Influenced by the Labour Movement and the Civil Rights Movement, he was one of the founding members of both the Saskatchewan Métis Society and the Native Council of Canada. He served as Vice President of the Métis Nation of Alberta and helped organize the Métis Association of the Northwest Territories. Daniels is widely known amongst most Métis people as the man who negotiated the expressed inclusion of “Métis People”, whose rights are protected in the Constitution. During the 1970’s and 80’s, Daniels was one of the leading Aboriginal leaders in national Constitutional negotiations. He …show more content…
As a talented film and stage actor, he held an undergraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, a graduate degree from Carleton University, and an honourary doctorate in Law from the University of Ottawa.
In 1966 to 1969, Daniels attended the University of Saskatchewan, and majored in political science. His first experience with elected office in native associations came in 1972, when he served as Vice President of the Métis Association of Alberta. During this period, he was also a representative for Aboriginal people at the United Nations conference on the Environment in Stockholm, Sweden.
Daniels held the elected office of Secretary Treasurer of the Native Council of Canada between 1974 and 1975. He was also the director of Aboriginal Rights Research for the Métis Association of Alberta. In 1979, Daniels served as chairman of the Métis and Non-Status Crime and Justice