Yvon Dumont

The Honourable Yvon Dumont OM
21st Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
In office March 5, 1993 – March 2, 1999
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governors General	Ray Hnatyshyn Roméo LeBlanc
Premier	Gary Filmon
Preceded by	George Johnson
Succeeded by	Peter Liba
President of the Métis National Council
In office 1988–1993
Succeeded by	Gerald Morin
Personal details
Born	(1951-01-21) January 21, 1951 St. Laurent, Manitoba
Nationality	Canadian
Occupation	small business owner, community organizer
Profession	Politician

W. Yvon Dumont, OM (born January 21, 1951) is a Manitoba politician and office-holder. In 1993, he became the first member of Manitoba's Métis community to be appointed as the province's Lieutenant Governor, the 21st to hold that office. He was born in St. Laurent, Manitoba.

He became involved in the Manitoba Metis Federation in 1967, and became its director for the Interlake region in 1972. He was chosen Executive Vice-President of the Federation in 1973, and served as its President from 1984 to 1993.

Dumont was also a founding member of the Native Council of Canada in 1972, and served as President of the Métis National Council from 1988 to 1993. He has participated as a representative of the MMF at Canadian First Ministers' conference, and has been actively involved in constitutional debates concerning First Nations and Métis peoples. Dumont has rejected the integration of Métis services into larger Indigenous institutions, expressing concern that Métis distinctiveness could be lost.

Dumont has also been a municipal councillor in St. Laurent, and was on the Board of Governors for the University of Manitoba. He received a Manitoba Metis Federation Award in 1993, and a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, now the Indspire Awards, in 1996.

Dumont's appointment as Lt. Governor of Manitoba coincided with a national reappraisal of Métis leader Louis Riel's role in the province's creation. Once regarded as a rebel and an outlaw, Riel has in recent years been accepted as a Father of Confederation for his role in establishing a provisional government in the Red River Colony. The appointment of Dumont as Lt. Governor undoubtedly reflected this changed perspective.

The position of Lt. Governor is largely ceremonial, and Dumont had very little influence over the Progressive Conservative government of Gary Filmon.

Dumont was appointed to the Order of Manitoba in 2001. He ran again for the leadership of the MMF in 2003, but was defeated by David Chartrand.

Arms

Coat of arms of Yvon Dumont

Adopted December 15, 1993 Crest Issuant from a coronet of Red River cart wheels conjoined by infinity signs set on a rim Or an arm embowed proper habited Azure and holding a banner flying to the dexter Azure charged with an infinity sign Argent Escutcheon Azure a Red River cart wheel supporting a coronet of alternating maple leaves and prairie crocus flowers set on a rim between four infinity signs three in chief one in base Or Supporters Dexter a buffalo Or armed unguled and gorged with a rope tied thereto a Red River cart wheel Azure Sinister a stallion Or unguled and gorged with a coronet as in the Crest Azure Compartment A grassy mound growing thereon prairie crocuses and prairie lilies proper Motto BRISER LES SOLITUDES (Breaking down solitudes) Orders The ribbon and insignia of a Companion of the Order of Canada. DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country)

References

• Lt. Governor of Manitoba Official biography