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AFN Press Release

June 10, 2014

Assembly of First Nations Offers Condolences to Family of Grand Chief Dr. Stan Louttit

(Ottawa, ON) - The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Executive Committee offers condolences to the family, friends and all those touched by the life and work of Grand Chief Dr. Stan Louttit who passed away today at his home in Moose Factory, Ontario. 

"It is with sincere condolences that I offer sincere condolences to the family of Grand Chief Dr. Stan Louttit, and all Mushkegowuk peoples and communities, on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations" said Ghislain Picard, AFN Spokesperson and Regional Chief for Quebec-Labrador.  "Over the course of three decades, Grand Chief Louttit fulfilled a number of leadership roles and was honoured and awarded for his tireless efforts and his ability to affect change for the people he served.  He is a respected leader across Ontario region, and his contributions to First Nations will continue to impact and inspire our peoples across the country."

Grand Chief Dr. Stan Louttit passed away early this morning following a courageous battle with cancer.  He was serving his third consecutive term as Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council, a position he has held since 2003 elected directly by the citizens of the seven First Nation communities in Mushkegowuk territory located on the James Bay coast.  He lived on Moose Factory Island with his wife Sharon of 40 years.  He has four daughters and eight grandchildren.  He was 64.

"Grand Chief Louttit will be dearly missed," said AFN Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy from Toronto where First Nation leaders, Elders and citizens are currently gathered for the 40^th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference where they offered condolences and prayers.  "We honour his long-standing leadership and a lifetime of commitment and dedication to First Nations people and Nations, to asserting and protecting the rights of the Mushkegowuk peoples and forging the way forward to new opportunities while always respecting the vision of the ancestors."

In addition to serving as Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council, Stan Loutit was twice elected as Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation - a position he held from 1994-1999.  He received the Emile Nakogee Award for Leadership in 2005 for his efforts in raising awareness to the Kashechewan water crisis.  In 1988 he received the Governor General's Medal of Bravery in recognition of his work during the Winisk flood of 1986.  He received an Honourary Doctorate of Education from Nipissing University in June 2012. 

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.  Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

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Contact information:

Jenna Young AFN Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca

Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca