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In a news release issued today, Kwanlin Dün First Nation expressed its condolences to the family of John Edzerza who passed away on Friday after a six month battle with leukemia.
“On behalf of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, I wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of John Edzerza,,” said Raymond Sydney, Acting Chief for KDFN. “John was a respected elder and leader in our community. He offered us so much in his different roles and he will be greatly missed.”
Mr. Edzerza was born in 1948 in Lower Post and he grew up in Atlin, B.C. He later moved to the Yukon to attend high school. After being a welder for 15 years, he turned to the helping profession, working on healing and counselling for First Nations. He was also a Councillor for Kwanlin Dun for four terms before becoming a Government of Yukon MLA for the riding of McIntyre-Takhini in 2002.
One of the projects Mr. Edzerza steadfastly advocated for was the First Nation’s healing centre at Jackson Lake.
“John was committed to the healing of First Nation people, an important journey he had taken himself,” added Sydney. “He was a strong voice for continued funding for the healing centre as he understood the importance of land-based healing to our people.”
Arrangements for Mr. Edzerza’s celebration of life are being planned by his family.
View full media release (PDF)
