BIO Chief Bill Erasmus

Chief Bill Erasmus, born in Yellowknife in 1954, is a respected Indigenous leader and lifelong advocate for Aboriginal and Treaty rights. A proud member of the Dene Nation, he has devoted his life to serving his homeland, Denendeh. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta and has brought lasting impact to the Northwest Territories and beyond through his leadership, diplomacy, and cultural integrity.

Since 1987, Chief Erasmus has served as the National Chief of the Dene Nation and as a member of the Assembly of First Nations Executive Committee. He has chaired major national committees, including those on environment, claims, and health, and co-founded the Centre for Nutrition and Environment of Indigenous Peoples at McGill University. Throughout his career—as a negotiator, researcher, fieldworker, and media contributor—he has amplified Indigenous voices and supported sustainable development grounded in traditional knowledge.

Chief Erasmus is recognized both nationally and internationally, having received the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Rooted in deep respect for Elders, land, and community, he is a bridge between ancestral wisdom and future generations. He lives in Denendeh with his wife Reanna and their children, Lonny and Sarah.