GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER CHIEF LESLIE O’NABIGON
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER CHIEF LESLIE O’NABIGON
GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION, ON: Ginoogaming First Nation (GFN) Chief Sheri Taylor, on behalf of Ginoogaming First Nation Council sends their condolences to the family, friends and community following the passing of former Chief and community leader Leslie O’Nabigon who passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 18, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Thunder Bay at the age of 65 years.
He sets out for the everlasting homelands knowing that he made his contribution to the betterment of Indigenous Peoples. Throughout his career he held several positions including Chief. He also provided leadership in other organizations advocating for the First Nations such as Kimberly Clark, Nakooming, Matawa First Nations Management and the Nishnawbe-Aski Development Fund. He enjoyed camping, fishing, reading, travelling and being around his family.
On behalf of GFN Council —Chief Taylor stated, “We appreciated Leslie’s advice on legal files in regards to the protection of our homelands as the new Chief and Council. Having support from a previous Chief meant a lot to us.”
Leslie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Georgette, Nathan, (Karen) Cole, Keenan, Carolyn and grandchildren Braiden, Dustin, Jonah, Alyssa, Angel, Sache, Kingston, Kavyn, Kyler, Nikotah, Nash, Vicsin Emberly and mother-in-law Edna Charles. In addition, left to grieve are his sisters Maryann, Lucille (Rodney), Simone, Celine (Marc), Maureen (Patrick) and Lana; his brothers Edmund (Nina), Dennis (Betty Jean) and Graham, many nieces, nephews, and cousins especially John and Frank O’Nabigon who were like his brothers.
He was predeceased by his sons Darren and Matthew, his parents Roy and Genevieve Echum, father-in-law Raymond Charles, sister-in-law Glenna, and brothers-in-laws Terrance, Clarence and Raymond Charles.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: The wake will be held in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. with prayers to begin at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 12:00 noon in the Chapel. Interment will take place in St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Thunder Bay followed by a reception. Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Leslie’s memory to the Diabetes Association.
— 30 —
For more information, please contact: Carol Audet, Communications Manager at Matawa Comms at: comms@matawa.on.ca.