AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde Statement of Honour and Condolences on the Passing of World War II Veteran Edward Baldhead

OTTAWA, Oct. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde today offered condolences to the friends and family of World War II Veteran and Residential School survivor Edward Baldhead, a member of One Arrow First Nation in Saskatchewan.

National Chief Bellegarde said, "On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and our National Executive, I want to send our thoughts, prayers and support at this difficult time to the family, friends and all those who knew Edward Baldhead. We express our deepest gratitude for his contribution in serving Canada in the Second World War. His effort and bravery will be remembered, as will his resilience as a residential school survivor. It was a great honour to get to know him personally as an Elder when he took me under his wing and instilled in me his beliefs about who we are as Indigenous peoples. He inspired many people greatly and he will be missed dearly, but his memory and teachings will always be with us."

In recent years, Edward Baldhead spent time visiting classrooms in Saskatchewan discussing the impacts of the residential schools and sharing his experiences. As a Cree speaker, he was a strong advocate for protecting and revitalizing Indigenous languages.

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

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-241-6789 ext. 382, 613-292-0857 (cell), [email protected] ; Jenn Jefferys, Communications Officer, 613-241-6789 ext. 110, 613-222-9656 (cell), [email protected]