Head and shoulders image of Ernest Mike, honourary Doctor of Laws degree recipient. Image possibly taken near time of presentation.

Bio/Historical Note: Senator Ernest (Ernie) Mike was born 18 July 1924, and is a member of the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation. He stayed in school until 16, and then assisted his father in a farming operation. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces in Korea. In 1943 he married Flora Mike. She became an advocate for AIDS awareness after their seventh child, Bobby Mike, died of AIDS in 1992. Emest Mike has occupied leadership roles in the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation. He served for two terms as chief (1965-67, 1975-77), and for over twenty years as band councillor. In these roles, Mike was deeply committed to leading his people to self-sufficiency and self-reliance, and away from the dependency of a trustee people under the Indian Act. He has been involved in virtually all dimensions of his people's life: health, education, agriculture, and self-government. Mike recommended the creation of the office of Treaty Commissioner as a means of rediscovering the actual intention of the partners who signed the original Treaty. He was a critical First Nation's figure both nationally and provincially, and was intimately connected with developing the process for resolving treaty matters. As a result of his efforts, and those of several other distinguished First Nations leaders, the Federal and Provincial Governments signed a historical agreement in September 1992, which committed both levels of government to provide approximately $500 million to Saskatchewan bands in recognition of treaty settlement. Mike pioneered the development of the Indian Health Commission, as well as the Saskatchewan Indian Agriculture Program, which was formed to address, govern, and represent First Nations agriculture. Mike was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995. Mike was instrumental in uniting the Chiefs of Saskatchewan into the Union of Chiefs, which is now known as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Mike currently serves as chair of the Senate of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, whose members are appointed by the Chiefs, and who advise the Provincial Chief, the Vice-Chiefs, and the Chiefs of Saskatchewan on all matters of substance. The Senate is an essential component of the highly structured and defined First Nations government process in Saskatchewan. Committed to the vitality and validity of aboriginal culture, Senator Mike was a major force in the creation of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, and he diligently worked to gain the support, financial and otherwise, of First Nations partners for the development of the Park. Senator Mike currently chairs the First Nations Partner Corporation, Wanuskewin Indian Heritage Inc., and he sits on the Park Corporation Board of Directors as one of two WIHI representatives (2022).