A hereditary chief who helped enshrine Indigenous rights in Canada has passed away.
On social media, Jody-Wilson Raybould, former Cabinet Minister for the Trudeau government, said that her father Bill Wilson passed away Friday night.
She says Wilson’s life was one of leadership and striving to make change.
“He taught us well, and we strive to honour all he gave us by carrying on his work,” said Raybould.
Wilson was born in Comox, BC in 1944, and went on to become the second Indigenous person to graduate from the University of British Columbia’s law school.
During his career, he became the founding president of the United Native Nations, vice-president of the Native Council of Canada, helped in forming the BC First Nations Congress, was elected as chairman, and later became Kwagiulth hereditary chief.
The Canadian Encyclopedia says he’s most known for negotiating Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which enshrined Indigenous title to traditional lands and treaty rights, as well as equality of Indigenous women for Canada.
The encyclopedia adds during his time as chairman of the First Nations Congress, the BC Land Claims Task Force was made, and an agreement was signed with then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and BC Premier Mike Harcourt to create the BC Treaty Commision, which exists to this day.
Several politicians, friends and community members shared their condolences to Wilson’s family throughout social media.
He was 80 years old.
