NAN Mourns Passing of Garnet Angeconeb

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Executive Council members Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and Deputy Grand Chiefs Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Bobby Narcisse, and Victor Linklater have expressed heartfelt condolences following the passing of beloved Indian Residential School advocate and Order of Canada recipient Garnet Angeconeb:

“Garnet was an inspiring leader and a great friend who dedicated much of his life to helping Indian Residential School Survivors on their path to healing. Since this sad news, our thoughts and prayers have been with his family and friends. May the Creator guide him on his Spirit Journey.

Garnet refused to be silent at a time when the horrors of the Residential School system were not widely acknowledged. He was pivotal in the movement to secure compensation for IRS Survivors and the historic apology from the Government of Canada in 2008.

Helping Survivors find their paths to healing and fostering understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities was his life’s work and passion, and his dedication to reconciliation is recognized across Turtle Island.

Garnet showed us how to turn anger into a voice for justice. His legacy is a roadmap to guide us towards reconciliation.”

Members of the Executive Council attended the wake in Sioux Lookout today.

Angeconeb was invested into the Order of Canada in 2012 but was unable to attend the ceremony in Ottawa due to illness. He was presented his Insignia in 2015 by Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell on behalf of Governor General of Canada David Johnston.

Originally from Lac Seul First Nation, he left his family and community at age seven to attend Pelican Falls Indian Residential School from 1963 to 1969. He completed secondary school in Sioux Lookout and graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1982 with a diploma in journalism.

Angeconeb promoted traditional language and culture in a variety of roles with Wawatay Native Communications Society. He developed Wawatay Radio Network coverage for northern and remote First Nations and was a founding editor of Wawatay News. He also worked for CBC Radio Bay and served as executive director of the Independent First Nations Alliance.

In 1985, he became the first Indigenous person to be elected councillor in the Town of Sioux Lookout. He helped found the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee and served on the Aboriginal Healing Foundation’s board of directors for many years. He received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award in 2002 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award in 2012 for his community contributions.

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca