(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief RoseAnne Archibald offered the following statement on the recent passing of Gitxsan Simgiigyet-Hereditary Chief Delgamuukw (Earl Muldon).
“On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and its Executive Committee, I offer my most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family of long-time Gitxsan Simgiigyet-Hereditary Chief Delgamuukw (Earl Muldon) following his recent passing and to the Wilp and Lax Yip of the Lax Seel of the Gitxsan Nation. Gitxsan Simgiigyet-Hereditary Chief Delgamuukw was instrumental throughout his role in the 1997 landmark Supreme Court decision of the same name confirming rights and title in British Columbia, the largest case in Canadian history. This case created a precedent where First Nations title, laws and languages could sustain as evidence in the court of law. With that, his passing allows us to reflect on how we can stand up, protect and implement our own First Nations laws, languages and legal systems. I thank him for his unwavering leadership in the assertion of rights and their broad impacts for First Nations in British Columbia and across Canada. He will be surely missed, and his spirit and advocacy efforts will continue to live on for generations.”
Gitxsan Simgiigyet-Hereditary Chief Delgamuukw passed away on January 3, 2022 at the age of 85. Apart from his advocacy efforts, he was also a renowned artist and carver, whose artistry won him the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art in 2009, a B.C. Lifetime Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art, among many other accomplishments. He was named a Principal Companion to the Order of Canada in 2010.
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations people in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
Contact information:
Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary
Assembly of First Nations
613-612-7229 (mobile)
[email protected]
Lori Kittelberg
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
604-340-3117 (mobile)
[email protected]
Kelly Reid
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-292-0857 (mobile)
[email protected]