Long-time chief of Peguis First Nation, Louis Stevenson has passed away.
Stevenson died earlier Saturday. His family says he had been battling illness for some time, and they're devastated by the news.
"He did a lot of good things for his community, in spite of a lot of controversy," said Brokenhead First Nation Chief Jim Bear. "Mainstream (society) stood up and took notice when he spoke, and a lot of the leadership had great respect for him. Sad day in First Nation country.”
Stevenson is one of the longest-serving chiefs in Manitoba. He spent 26 years as chief of Peguis First Nation and remained a band councillor until recently.
"He certainly did a lot of advocacy for, and was a staunch supporter of, our First Nation rights and our treaty rights, and I think his legacy in that area continues to move forward as far as fighting for those rights," said Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson.
Louis Stevenson was born on Peguis First Nation in 1950.
Hudson says a funeral for Stevenson will be held on Wednesday on the First Nation.
