A former chief of Weenusk First Nation has died.
George Hunter passed away in his home community of Peawanuck surrounded by family on Monday (Aug. 29), according to Mushkegowuk Council.
“He was a great man and a true leader that would go the extra mile and a true friend. He will be missed and his legacy is evident and will live on," said Jonathan Solomon, former Mushkegowuk grand chief, in a news release.
Hunter began his political career in the early 1970s as the Weenusk (Peawanuck) chief. It was a position he held in 1986, when a deadly flood swept away the community of Winisk near the shores of Hudson Bay.
In his early political years, Mushkegowuk says Hunter saw a need for the James and Hudson Bay communities to work together.
"Soon thereafter, the Omushkego Unity Movement was in motion within the James and Hudson Bay region, and the James Bay Tribal Council, now known as the Mushkegowuk Council was created. In addition to contributing to Tribal Council table for many years, Chief Hunter served a term as the chairman for the Mushkegowuk Council in 1986-87," reads the Mushkegowuk statement.
When the 1986 flood hit, Mushkegowuk says Hunter "stepped up like a true brave warrior for the serious challenge of his life."
"He immediately took action to ensure the members of Winisk were rescued and evacuated to other communities. In the days following he began working with Canada on fast-tracking the planning work that took place years before the flood, to relocate and rebuild a new community and a better future. 'The Promised Land became a reality,'" reads the news release.
Mushkegowuk says Hunter's spiritual and traditional teachings will live on.
"His wisdom and sense of humour will live on forever, and his musical gift that he shared with us will be remembered for a long time," says the organization.
