RE-ELECT LECLAIR
VOTE LECLAIR
Michelle
MEET
Family History
Vice President Michelle LeClair carries a powerful family legacy — one deeply rooted in the history, resistance, and resurgence of the Métis Nation. Her lineage includes generations of Trottiers, Fleurys, and Lepines — families whose names are inseparable from the story of the Métis people on the Prairies.
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On her Trottier side, Michelle descends from a family that fought in every major Métis resistance movement. Her ancestors André II and Joseph Trottier fought alongside Cuthbert Grant at the Battle of Seven Oaks. Her great-grandmother Isabelle Falcon was known to have taken up arms during the Battle of Grand Coteau in 1851. Another relative, Charles “Wahpass” Trottier, was a skilled trader and leader of the Métis buffalo hunting band at Prairie Ronde and a close ally of Gabriel Dumont. Charles, along with his brother Michel Trottier, his sons, nephews, and in-laws, all took part in the 1885 Resistance. Michel died in the final battle at Batoche, and the Trottier name has since been etched into the very foundation of the Métis Nation.
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Through her maternal line, Michelle is also the descendant of Marguerite Fleury (née Trottier), listed in the scrip records as a Métis woman entitled to land and recognition as part of the Crown’s obligations. Marguerite’s daughter, Flora (Florestine) Lepine, Michelle’s maternal grandmother, continued this proud lineage. Baptismal records confirm Flora’s Métis identity and link her to generations of Métis women whose presence and resilience grounded their communities. These women were not only mothers and caregivers — they were knowledge keepers, cultural transmitters, and, like Isabelle Falcon, defenders of the homeland when called upon.
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Michelle LeClair's leadership is shaped by this deep, intergenerational legacy — one of survival, strength, and service. She was raised in a Michif-speaking household of seven children, immersed in culture and activism. Her father taught her the meaning of self-determination and self-government, reminding her often that her generation would be the one to speak both the language of the Crown and the spirit of the Métis Nation. She carries that lesson today — not only as a lawyer and elected official, but as a mother, grandmother, and descendant of warriors.​​
This is not just Michelle’s history. It is the history of the Nation. And it continues to live on in her work, her advocacy, and her unwavering belief in the strength of the Métis people
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Michelle LeClair is a proud Métis woman, a mother, and a grandmother, born into a tight-knit Michif family of seven children. Raised in a home deeply rooted in Métis culture, language, and activism, Michelle was surrounded from an early age by conversations about self-determination, self-government, and the future of her Nation. Her father instilled in her the belief that her generation would need to be educated in the language of government while keeping the spirit and teachings of the Elders at heart.
Personal Biography
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Encouraged by family and long-time friends and leaders like Jim Sinclair and Harry Daniels, Michelle pursued a path of service. She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Saskatchewan in 2001, later receiving a Certification in Human Resources Management from Cornell University. As a lawyer, she has worked tirelessly to defend the rights of Métis families — representing parents navigating the child welfare system and Indigenous women in the criminal justice system. Her advocacy is grounded in the belief that systems must be built to support, not harm, Indigenous people — especially women and children.
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Michelle’s commitment to the Métis Nation began early. In her early twenties, she was elected to the Métis Women’s Board and participated in the Charlottetown Accord discussions. She went on to serve as the Area Director for Northern Region 1, holding various portfolios including Veterans Affairs. Over the years, she has remained a strong presence in Métis governance, serving as Speaker of the House for the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly and chairing assemblies across the Homeland for the Métis National Council and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.
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In 2021, Michelle was elected as Vice President of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan. In addition to her role as Vice President, she was appointed Minister of Justice and Minister of Lands and Environment, where she continued her lifelong commitment to defending Métis rights and protecting Métis land and communities.
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Professionally, Michelle has held key leadership roles within large Métis organizations, including her work as Director of Human Resources and Policy Development in Saskatoon. This work involved overseeing major projects, financial management, and negotiating with government partners — always with the goal of bettering the lives of Métis people. Her experience spans community-based advocacy, policy development, and formal legal work, making her one of the few Métis leaders with both grassroots and institutional expertise.
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Michelle LeClair’s life has been shaped by her family’s legacy, her community’s teachings, and her unwavering belief in the strength and future of the Métis Nation. She brings deep knowledge, lived experience, and a fierce commitment to ensuring that Métis voices are heard, respected, and reflected in the work of their government.
