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NAN Press Release

NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION OFFER CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF ELDER JOSIAS FIDDLER

THUNDER BAY, ON - May 30, 2012: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy offered his condolences today on behalf of NAN Executive Council to the community and family of Elder Josias Fiddler, a tireless community activist and active member of the NAN Elders Council.

"It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our friend, elder, father and teacher," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "He was involved with his community and NAN from the very start and has had a lasting legacy on everything he was involved with. There are many that will mourn his passing."

Josias Fiddler was an essential part of the north first as chief of Sandy Lake First Nation for many years, chair of a founding tribal council and was a driving force behind the creation of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre and was an advisor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. He was a spiritual leader for the NAN Executive Council and was active on the NAN Elders Council. To many youth as well, Josias was an inspiration. He visited countless schools across the region encouraging youth to explore traditional beliefs and sacred ceremonies and often taught youth at Dennis Franklin Cromarty School traditional drum songs.

"He never let go of that original vision the founders had of Grand Council Treaty 9 and NAN," said Beardy. "He picked up on what those original leaders envisioned and kept it strong to this very day. This shows how deep his involvement and commitment was to the betterment of our communities."

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 - an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario in Canada.

For more information please contact:

Jamie Monastyrski, A/Director of Communications -
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4978 or cell (807) 630-7087
email jmonastrski@nan.on.ca

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Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Sends Condolences to Family of Traditional Healer, Josias Fiddler

May 31, 2012
Sioux Lookout, Ontario

On a cool early morning when we set the Grandfather Rocks in place in front of the new Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, the wolves howled and the eagles flew overhead to honor the significance of a new beginning for health services for the people of the north and the town of Sioux Lookout and surrounding area.

The idea of having these Grandfather Rocks become part of a prominent feature of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre came from Josias Fiddler, a long time member of the board who passed away early Wednesday, May 30, 2012.

Josias was a follower and practitioner of the traditional ways of his people. This knowledge guided him in proving meaningful advice to SLMHC that produced seemingly new approaches to improving services and programs to the clients we serve but were actually ways of old, ways of old based on strengthening relationships between all people. So these creatures that came to honor the Grandfather Rocks were also there to honor Josias' vision for his people, to have the very best care available to them.

"We, the board of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, will miss Josias and his leadership," said Kai Koivukoski, Co-Chair of the Board.

Sol Mamakwa states, "We also offer our most sincere condolences to his family and the community of Sandy Lake First Nation."

"The staff of SLMHC are going to miss Josias' leadership as we go forward to produce innovative programming that will make SLMHC a Centre of Excellence in providing a high quality of care to all our clients. His teachings and advice will not soon be forgotten as we continue our journey," added Dave Murray, CEO & President of Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre."

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For more information, please contact:

Mr. Dave Murray, CEO & President
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
Telephone: 807-737-3030