GDI operates with a 12-member board of governors plus a chairperson who is the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan Minister of Education. Board members are selected from each of the 12 MN–S regions.
The Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) traces its origins to a Métis cultural conference held by the Association of Métis and non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS) where the need for an institute for culture and education was discussed. The AMNSIS began negotiations with the provincial government to establish such an institution in 1978. The Institute was formally established September 20, 1980. Also in this year, the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program began operations and the GDI hosted its first annual Cultural Conference. The GDI set up the Gabriel Dumont Foundation and the Napoleon Lafontaine Scholarship Fund in 1985. In 1989 the GDI began the Journal of Indigenous Studies/La Revue Des Etudes Indigenes. This year the GDI began to work in collaboration with Saskatchewan Justice to set up the first residential community training residence for female offenders in Saskatchewan. In 1993, GDI struck an agreement with the University of Saskatchewan to create Gabriel Dumont College. GDI launches the Gabriel Dumont College Graduate Student Bursary program. GDI Training and Employment is incorporated under the Gabriel Dumont Institute banner and becomes one of 80 Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement holders, delivering labour market programs and services across Canada. GDI initiates the Gabriel Dumont College Graduate Student Bursary program. GDI Training and Employment is incorporated under the Gabriel Dumont Institute banner and becomes one of 80 Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement holders, delivering labour market programs and services across Canada.
1990-2000