AFN National Chief Offers Condolences on the Passing of Cree Leader Grand
Chief Dr. Billy Diamond

OTTAWA, Oct 1 /CNW/ - Today, National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo offered the following statement on the passing of respected leader Grand Chief Dr. Billy Diamond:

"First Nations lost a tremendous and inspiring leader yesterday. As we mourn the passing of Grand Chief Dr. Billy Diamond, we reflect on his many contributions to his own people, his nation, First Nations and Indigenous peoples right across the country.

Grand Chief Dr. Diamond will be remembered as a strong leader and advocate for his people and all First Nations throughout his life.  Many remember his leading role during the Constitutional talks in the 1980s, which led to the historic recognition of Aboriginal and Treaty rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, a landmark achievement for First Nations and all Indigenous peoples. For that alone he would be remembered, but he contributed so much more as well.

Grand Chief Dr. Billy Diamond was a deeply spiritual man and today, on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, I would like to convey our deepest condolences to the family and the friends of Billy Diamond and to the people of Waskaganish. You are in our prayers. And also, we offer our sincere reassurance that the legacy of the great Grand Chief Dr. Billy Diamond will live on and continue to inspire generations yet unborn. "

A member of the Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation in Quebec, Billy Diamond was a survivor of the residential school system and was named Chief of his community at the young age of 21. In 1974, he became the first ever Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees and, one year later, signed one of the biggest land claim settlements in Canada, The James Bay Agreement with the Quebec and Canadian governments. Diamond was also an entrepreneur who created and fostered many groundbreaking and successful businesses enterprises for his people, including Air Creebec.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information:

Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
Phone: [phone] (382)
Cell: 613-292-0857 or [email protected]