Ron Rivard has worked to build the Metis Nation for over 25 years, through provincial, national and international arenas. He served for 10 years as the first executive director of the Metis National Council. He met with Pope John Paul II to gain the Pope’s support for constitutional issues. Ron has sat on numerous boards to advance Aboriginal interests. Ron co-authored the book ‘The History of the Metis of Willow Bunch’ with Catherine Littlejohn which won a Saskatchewan Book Award. The book traces the history of the Metis of Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, from their origins in the Red River in the late seventeenth century to their founding of “Talle de Saules” (later translated to Willow Bunch) near the present site of Willow Bunch in the 1870’s. The book is a great contribution to our knowledge of the origins of the historic Metis community. Thank you Ron for all you have done for Metis people and our community!