David Beaudin

Background & Experience

David Beaudin is a Manitoba-born Métis, a husband to a wonderful wife with a great stepson. He has four adult children of his own. He is the fourth-born son to his mother Agnes Lavallee of St. Laurent and his father Charles Omer Beaudin of St. Eustache.

David Beaudin has been a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation for over 35 years. Originally a member of Heritage Proud Local in 1990, he initiated the creation of a local called New Horizons in 2004, where he served as chairperson for 14 consecutive years. His local was one of the few that began using technology to host local meetings, and in December of 2006 New Horizons used ICQ Messenger to host a local meeting. Temperatures were −28 that day.

He was also elected to the Local Advisory Committee (LAC), an education committee, for three successive terms, and during that span served as the LAC committee chair and regional representative on the MMF Provincial Management Board.

Volunteering for the LAC committee also provided opportunity to work with the directors of MET, and he received training and provided feedback at workshops for the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program guidelines. He was frequently seen with the late Minister John Fleury and Director Kerry Smith discussing policies and procedures.

His volunteer time serving Winnipeg Region citizens in various capacities positioned him to run for MMF Cabinet in 2010, which earned him kudos and experience. This later translated to a successful win in 2018 as one of two Regional Directors in Winnipeg. Later in June of 2018, President Chartrand appointed him as the Associate Minister of Provincial Education.

More recently, in April of 2021, he was further honoured by President Chartrand to serve as the Minister of Agriculture, where he proceeded to support staff to increase the portfolio funding. In late 2021 he signed a contribution agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for program dollars to assist our farmers and ranchers in BMP practices. Total funding to date has reached over 11 million dollars distributed to our citizens.

In the latest MMF cabinet shuffle in summer of 2025, he was appointed as the new Associate Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

In February of 2026, President Chartrand appointed him chairperson of the MMF HRD committee, overseeing several portfolios and projects. President Chartrand also appointed him the new Minister of Métis Employment and Training, overseeing the ISETS program. MET has received many accolades for creating one of the country’s most successful education delivery departments, with over 45,000 clients served.

In 2022, David retired from Red River College Polytech after 22 years as an instructor, program coordinator, and MGEU union representative. During his tenure with RRCP, he was elected to chair the RRCP College Council of Instructors and was elected to the RRCP Board of Governors from 2015–2017. He retired with over 22 years of experience in teaching technology, business, trades, project management, and career development.

He also has a certificate in Class 4 Power Engineering, a certificate in Adult Education, a Vocational Teaching Diploma in Technology, three years of a joint B.Ed. with the U of W, a 12-month certificate in Multimedia Applications, completed all levels of a plumbing apprenticeship with Local 254 Plumbers and Pipefitters, and has been a successful small business owner since 1997.

More recently, in February of 2026, David, together with fellow Red River Métis Citizen Ron Kerr, formed a new Métis men’s association called the Red River Métis Men’s Association Inc. The association was incorporated in February of 2026 with a mission to provide a safe environment for Red River Métis men to connect with one another, exchange ideas, share emotional experiences, learn or relearn their culture and language, and begin healing from trauma.

The Winnipeg Region team supported the development of the association by donating items to assist with its startup and providing meeting space. The association has since hosted gatherings of more than 40 men, creating meaningful opportunities for Red River Métis men to come together in support, culture, and community.