David is a member of Marten Falls First Nation. He was raised mostly in the bush by his family. They survived and lived as trappers from September to June. In the summer months they worked in bush camps working together to cut pulp wood. At times his father worked as a guide when there was no bush work and later his father worked as a section worker on an old CNR line between Nakina & Hearst Ontario.

David attended primary school in a residential school system, he first attended McIntosh for six years and spent an additional year in Fort Albany. He then graduated from Geraldton Composite High School in late 1960's.

After high school, he worked in various vocations mainly as a labourer, trapper, guide and even did some ditch digging. He started his career working with aboriginal people in 1973 in his home community of Marten Falls as the Welfare and Band Administrator.

In 1975, he decided to go out into the world and experience life and pursue his career, and landed in Constance Lake, a fair size community of about 600 on-reserve population. He lived and worked there for about eight years starting off as the Welfare Administrator and moved onto the Band Administrator when it became available.

In 1984, he moved on to work in the Chiefs of Ontario Office working as a Policy Analyst on various issues including housing, social and economic development. He also spent a year working as the Administrative Assistant. The office spent about four years in Toronto and from there they moved on to Thunder Bay in 1988.
He worked as the Executive Director for Matawa First Nations Management, a tribal council organization for about seven years.
He worked for a short period of time with a mental health organization as the Human Resources Director.

In December 1996, he began work with Rainy River First Nations (Manitou Rapids) as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for business operations and business development. He continued to work with Manitou Rapids until mid May 2001. He is currently the Executive Director of Nishinawbe Aski Nation.

Rainy River First Nations-Chief Executive Officer and Band Manager
December 1996 to May 2001

Meno Bimahdizewin Child and Family Services-Human Resources Director
March 1996 to August 1996

Matawa First Nations-Chief Executive Officer
August 1988 to May 1995

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund-Business Development Advisor
June to August 1988

Chiefs of Ontario-Policy Analyst and Administrative Assistant
October 1984 to September 1987

Constance Lake First Nation-Welfare Administrator (3 yrs) Band Manager (4 yrs)
July 1976 to July 1984

Marten Falls First Nation-Band Manager/Welfare Administrator
September 1973 to January 1975

July 1970 to August 1973-Various occupations, including trapper, labourer, guide