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David M. General

David M. General was appointed to the Ontario Arts Council Board of Directors in January 2011. Mr. General is a professional sculptor who resides in Ohsweken, David M. GeneralOntario, where he divides his time between his art and his community work.

Mr. General began his professional career with Local 736, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers in Hamilton, Ontario, and became a Journeyman Ironworker. He attended a Native Teachers Program at Hamilton Teacher’s College; earned his teaching certificate and worked as an elementary school art teacher at J. C. Hill Elementary School in Ohsweken. Mr. General also held the post of Senior Cultural Development Officer of the Department of Indian and Northern Development, Ottawa, from 1977 to 1980.

He is a founding member and past co-chair of the Society of Canadian Artists of Native Ancestry (SCANA) from 1984 to 1987, and was an advisory committee member for the National Native Indian Artists' Symposium until 1993. From 1994 to 2000, he served on the Board of Trustees for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario, and currently serves as a member of Kakaekwewin, the Aboriginal Arts Advisory Committee for the Canada Council of the Arts in Ottawa.

Mr. General served as the Elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River―the largest First Nation in Canada—from 2004 to 2007. Prior to his term as Chief, he served a three-year term as a District Councillor. He shares his experience, insight and views on First Nations issues and matters as a lecturer for the Canada School for Public Service in Asticou, Quebec.

Mr. General has coached Lacrosse in Six Nations 16 years (from 1982 to 1998). His coaching career is highlighted by five national “A” and two provincial “A” championships, which include three Mann Cups and one Minto Cup. In 2001, he was inducted in the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

In 2009 Mr. General was asked to be the Honorary Elder Fire Keeper, an honour that included the responsibility of welcoming and blessing the Olympic torch relay runners who passed through the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.