Ottawa, Ontario - Nov. 27, 2009 - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians issued the following statement today on the passing of Nelson Leeson, President of the Nisga'a Lisims Government:

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Nelson Leeson, the President of the Nisga'a Lisims Government, who passed away yesterday while in a hospital in Prince George, British Columbia. Mr. Nelson worked tirelessly to close the social and economic gaps between Aboriginal people and other Canadians.

He was instrumental in the signing Nisga'a Final Agreement - the first modern treaty in British Columbia. Since that time, he continued to devote his energies not only to the Nisga'a people of the Nass River Valley, but worked with other Aboriginal groups across Canada. As Co-Chair of the Land Claims Agreement Coalition, he worked to bring attention to issues related to the implementation of modern treaties across this country.

Mr. Nelson possessed the vision, the knowledge and the determination to work towards an improved quality of life not only for his people, but for all Aboriginal people in Canada. His contribution to improving the lives of Aboriginal people in Canada will be missed.


For more information, please contact

Minister's Office
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160