Based in Winnipeg, he was once national chief of Assembly of First Nations
Cochrane Sinclair LLP, a First Nation-led law firm, has announced the appointment of Ovide Mercredi – described as a central figure in Indigenous–Crown relations in Canada for decades – as a special advisor in the Winnipeg office.
Through strategic legal advocacy as a special advisor, he will continue working to strengthen First Nations’ ability to assert and exercise their own jurisdiction. He will also offer strategic insight on treaty implementation, governance reform, sovereignty initiatives, and long-term nation-building strategies.
“The firm is an opportunity for our people to evolve their own legal systems and formulate approaches that can help First Nations communities in governance and in the assertion of their sovereignty,” Mercredi said in Cochrane Sinclair’s news release.
According to the firm’s news release, his work has involved law, politics, treaty rights, self-government, constitutional recognition, and Indigenous sovereignty.
“Laws are based on political realities,” Mercredi said. “The First Nations political reality right now needs to be forefront in terms of litigation or advocacy.”
He has acted for First Nations leaders at high levels of national negotiation. He has helped First Nations communities navigate governance, sovereignty, and legal reform. He has also advocated for the development of Indigenous legal systems grounded in Indigenous authority instead of colonial frameworks.
“I would like to help First Nations people develop their own legal systems, their own justice systems, their own governance systems that are not necessarily within the framework of the federal system of government,” Mercredi said. “Working towards true sovereignty for First Nations people is something that I would like to be engaged in.”
“As Canada’s largest First Nation led law firm, our mandate is rooted in strengthening First Nation governments, advancing self-determination, and addressing historical injustices,” said Harold (Sonny) Cochrane, the firm’s co-managing partner, in the firm’s news release.
“Ovide’s decades of national leadership make this a natural and powerful fit,” Sonny Cochrane added. “His experience, wisdom, and principled voice will elevate our work and enhance the service we provide to our clients across the country.”
“Our firm was built on the understanding that Indigenous law requires not only technical skill, but historical awareness and national perspective,” said Shawn Scarcello, the firm’s co-managing partner, in the news release. “Ovide brings both. His presence strengthens our ability to think long-term and act with clarity on complex issues.”
More on Mercredi
Mercredi’s biography on the firm’s website provided more information regarding his previous leadership roles and educational background.
A Cree from Grand Rapids, he was treaty advisor at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, lead negotiator for Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s health transformation from 2018–22, national spokesperson for Treaties 1–11 from 2006–14, and chief of Misipawistik Cree Nation from 2005–11.
At the Assembly of First Nations, Mercredi served as regional chief for Manitoba in 1989 and as national chief from 1991–97.
He served as an independent reviewer at the Law Society of Ontario in 2017 and as chancellor at the University College of the North in 2007. He became an officer of the Order of Canada in 2022 and a member of the Order of Manitoba in 2005.
Mercredi received his BA and LLB from the University of Manitoba. At the university, he was founder and first president of the Indigenous Student Association and a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013.
