March 16, 2018
(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde today offers condolences to the family, friends and community of Justa Monk who passed away March 14 in his home community of Tl’azt’en Nation near Prince George, B.C.
“Today we remember Justa Monk, his strong leadership and passion for all his work grounded in First Nations rights, governance and the Dakelh language and traditions,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “Justa made significant contributions to Tl’azt’en Nation, the Dakelh Territory, British Columbia and all First Nations through his work in many leadership roles as band manager, Chief, Tribal Chief, and First Nations Summit Executive member. We offer condolences to his family, friends and nation. He will be missed.”
Justa Monk was the first ever Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and held this position from 1981 to 1983 and then again from 1990 to 1994. He later acted as advisor to the Tribal Council and served on the executive of the First Nations Summit. As band manager and Chief of Tl’azt’en Nation, he achieved clean drinking water, electricity and improved roads.
Justa Monk chronicled his life story, including his time at residential school, his work in the forest industry and his leadership roles and efforts, in a biography written with Bridget Moran and published in 1994. Justa Monk was 75.
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
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For media requests or more information, please contact:
Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary – National Chief’s Office
343-540-6179 (cell)
[email protected]
Jenna Young Castro
AFN Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 201
613-314-8157 (cell) or [email protected]