Harold Cardinal, Canadian lawyer and politician (b. 1945)

Harold Cardinal (January 27, 1945 – June 3, 2005) was a Cree writer, political leader, teacher, negotiator, and lawyer. Throughout his career he advocated, on behalf of all First Nation peoples, for the right to be "the red tile in the Canadian mosaic."

Cardinal was a lifelong student of First Nations law as practised by Cree and other Aboriginal Elders; he complemented this with extensive study of law in mainstream educational institutions. He was also a mentor and inspiration to many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, professionals, and political leaders.

He died of lung cancer in 2005 at the age of 60.