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Peter Powder, the previous chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN), has handed away. He was 62.
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Powder was born in Fort Chipewyan and spent a lot of his life as a Millwright for Syncrude. He entered politics in Aug. 2020 when he was elected chief and led the First Nation for 2 years. However throughout that brief interval, Powder achieved loads as head of MCFN.
In 2020, Three Nations Vitality (3NE)—a partnership between the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), MCFN and Fort Chipewyan Métis Affiliation (FCMA)—opened a photo voltaic farm in Fort Chipewyan.
Powder helped broaden Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Provincial Park in 2021. In 2022, MCFN and the ACFN signed an settlement with the federal authorities to guard boreal caribou in northeastern Alberta.
An archaeology group from the College of Alberta additionally began looking out the grounds of the Holy Angels Residential College in Fort Chipewyan. The stays of the college are on MCFN lands, however the search is a community-led effort in coordination with MCFN, ACFN and FCMA.
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Powder additionally advocated for improved housing, financial alternatives, psychological well being and well being care helps, youth sports activities and outreach, schooling, and Treaty rights for his individuals. All of this was carried out throughout the social and financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
None of this was a straightforward activity and it took a toll on Powder. When he resigned as chief final August, Powder mentioned in an interview his two years as chief have been a “gruelling” expertise. He additionally cited well being considerations and a need to spend extra time along with his household as causes for his resignation.
Powder’s demise was marked with tributes from throughout Fort McMurray Wooden Buffalo. A message posted to MCFN’s Fb web page urged individuals to recollect Powder’s motto: Be form.
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The Athabasca Tribal Council remembered Powder as a sort man and a faithful chief of his neighborhood. Comparable tributes additionally got here in from Fort McKay First Nation, Fort McKay Métis Nation and the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Enterprise Affiliation (NAABA).
Mayor Sandy Bowman additionally provided condolences to Powder’s household throughout the Might 9 council assembly, calling him “a powerful chief, an awesome good friend, a neighborhood builder” who was beloved by many individuals.
“Personally, I used to be fortunate sufficient to depend myself amongst these associates. He can be missed by all who knew him, together with me,” mentioned Bowman. “Chief Powder lived with such braveness, power, grace, and dignity. There isn’t a doubt his legacy will reside on, and I’ll do my finest to honour him.”
Powder’s funeral can be on Might 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in downtown Fort McMurray
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