Dennis Franklin Cromarty wanted the best for his people

Dennis Franklin Cromarty spent his life working for the betterment of First Nations people.
He grew up in poverty in the shadow of a gold mine, realizing the inequalities of the province making money from resources but the First Nations getting nothing.
He wanted to help change it. 
Cromarty attended Pelican Lake residential school, near Sioux Lookout, then went to high school in Sault Ste. Marie.
He spent 1967-1972 at Lakehead University working towards an economics degree.
“Dennis was always a very determined person,” said Helen Cromarty, his wife of many years. She made the remarks during an open house at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, marking the 10th anniversary of the school’s opening.
While getting an education was very important to him, Aboriginal rights were as well.
He made the decision to leave school and set up a court worker program in Toronto to assist Aboriginal people who were in trouble with the law.
“He had a choice to make ... and he opted to work for the people,” Helen said.
He went on to work for Grand Council Treaty 9, which would ultimately become Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
He spent 1974-1976 helping establish the community and economic development program before serving as director of community development from 1976-1979.
He was elected grand chief and served from 1979-1981.
After his term as grand chief, Cromarty served as commissioner of NAN looking at the issues most affecting the people.
He would go on to serve two more terms as grand chief.
He spent his later years working as a private consultant and also served as president and CEO of Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund.
Cromarty suffered a fatal heart attack Feb. 3, 1993 but his legacy lives on.
His name lives on at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay, opened by Northern Nishnawbe Education Council in 2000.
“I stood up here 10 years ago talking about that man,” Helen said, adding it was a great honour for her family to have the school named after her late husband.