Ginoogaming First Nation

Ginoogaming First Nation mourns the loss of former Chief Leslie O’Nabigon

 

GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION
P.O. Box 89
Longlac, ON P0T 2A0 Tel: (807) 876-2242
Fax: (807) 876-2496
www.ginoogamingfn.ca

 

Tuesday January 21, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER CHIEF LESLIE O’NABIGON

Ginoogaming First Nation – 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.