First Nation leaders at the 40th annual Ontario Chiefs Conference in Toronto paused to remember the life of Grand Chief Stan Loutitt, who died June 10 following a battle with cancer.
“On behalf of the Chiefs of Ontario, I offer sincere condolences to the family, friends and all First Nations in Mushkegowuk territory on the passing of Grand Chief Louttit,” said Regional Chief Stan Beardy in a statement. “Grand Chief Louttit fought a courageous battle against cancer and through it all still represented his territory and people to the best of his ability. I worked with him for many years. He will be dearly missed.”
Louttit held many leadership positions over 30 years and received many awards for his work in affecting change for the communities that he served.
Born and raised at Lake River, north of Attawapiskat, he was a member of the Fort Albany First Nation. He made Moose Factory his home for the past 50 years and was made an honourary member of the Moose Cree First Nation.
Louttit was serving his third consecutive four-year term as Grand Chief of the Mushkegowuk Council.
He previously served a five-year term as Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and received a Ministerial Award and the Governor General’s Medal of Bravery in recognition of his efforts during the Winisk flood of 1986.
Louttit was awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Education by Nipissing University in 2011 for his leadership and service to the Mushkegowuk Peoples and all First Nation across Canada.
