Phil Fontaine was born at Sagkeeng (formerly Fort Alexander) in Manitoba, where his first language was Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin). At the age of six, Phil and his siblings were forcibly removed from their family home and required to attend Fort Alexander Residential School, in accordance with Canadian government policy of the time.

While at Fort Alexander Residential School, Phil learned to skate and began playing hockey with the Fort Alexander Braves. He played with the team until age fourteen, when he was transferred to Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg. Known as an exceptional and fast skater, Phil was selected to the Winnipeg City All-Star Team, playing for the Southern Division for two consecutive seasons. He was later invited to try out for the Fort Frances Royals of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and played with the team briefly.

Alongside his athletic pursuits, Phil earned his high school diploma and later graduated with a university degree in political science. He married and raised two children, Mike and Maya.

At age 27, Phil became the youngest Chief at Sagkeeng and went on to serve as Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Throughout his political career, Phil used his leadership to expose the systemic abuses endured by Indigenous children in residential schools. He is widely recognized for his pivotal role in negotiating the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which provided compensation to survivors and led to the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Despite the demands of public office, Phil remained deeply connected to hockey. He played with the Sagkeeng Old Timers, members of the Canadian Old Timers Hockey Association, competing internationally from 1982 to 1988. The team won World Cup titles in Munich (1983) and Montreal (1987), as well as the COHA National Cup in 1988, and was honoured by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Today, Phil serves as Special Advisor to Ishkonigan Inc., an Indigenous consulting firm he founded. He continues to follow hockey and enjoys travelling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren.