EAGLE LAKE FIRST NATION — The long-time chief of Eagle Lake First Nation has passed away.
Grand Council Treaty 3 on Thursday posted that it was heartbroken to have heard of the passing of Chief Arnold Gardner and expressed condolences to his family.
"As a former Ogichidaa, a favourite of the staff, and a personal lifelong friend of Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Chief Gardner was central to the governance of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3," the post reads. "His gentle smile, his calm but powerful words, and his everlasting dedication to our nationhood will be deeply missed by the entire staff of Grand Council Treaty #3."
Gardner became the chief of Eagle Lake in 1990, according to a biography on the community's website.
He also previously served as Ogichidaa of Grand Council Treaty #3.
Kenora MP Eric Melillo also expressed sadness about Gardner's passing, writing in a Facebook post that his thoughts are with Gardner's family, loved ones, and the entire Eagle Lake First Nation community.
"I always enjoyed the opportunities I had to speak with him about local issues and learn from his decades of experience as a leader in our region," Melillo wrote in the post.
