Louis Gardiner of Ile-a-la Crosse, a prominent Métis leader and residential school advocate, has died. Mr. Gardiner passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. He was 70 years old. “The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN-S) government extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Louis Gardiner following his passing,” reads a statement issued by the MN-S. “A former MN–S provincial treasurer, Northern Region 3 regional representative and local president, Louis was a respected leader, an Ile-a-la Crosse residential school survivor and a tireless advocate for Métis rights. He was a strong and unwavering voice for survivors throughout his life. As one of the representative plaintiffs on the Ile-a-la Crosse residential school claim, Louis helped lead an historic effort that culminated last year with Canada and Saskatchewan acknowledging the harms and injustices experienced by survivors.”
When an agreement in principle was reached last year between the residential school survivors and the Government of Canada, Mr. Gardiner went on record to state recognizing no numerical figure could ever erase the injustices committed, emphasizing the importance of beginning to resolve the legal claims. “We’re losing the survivors at a rapid pace and so we just feel it’s time to at least honour some of our survivors and look after them the way we should be looking after them and respect that,” he said at the time.”I guess, based on that, we find this one of the first steps in justice… in healing for us.” The MN-S statement goes on to note Mr. Gardiner will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, determination and lifelong service to the Métis nation. “His contributions helped advance justice for survivors and strengthened our nation for future generations,” the statement reads. “He will be deeply missed.” This was echoed by Athabasca NDP MLA Leroy Laliberte who also commented on Mr. Gardiner’s background in hockey. “I’m saddened to hear of the sudden passing of my friend and long-time Métis advocate Louis Gardiner, aka ‘Big Lou,’” Laliberte said in an official statement. “Louis was not only well known on the ice as one of the best hockey players to come out of northwestern Saskatchewan, but also that of a spokesperson of minor hockey. Louis loved the sport and motivated many for years, he encouraged young people to push themselves to the next level of hockey and always spoke of the opportunities awaiting them.”
Laliberte is also proud of what Mr. Gardiner achieved in terms of securing justice for Ile-a-la Crosse residential school survivors. “Louis was an Ile-a-la Crosse residential school survivor and advocated day in and day out to ensure the survivors stories, his stories were heard,” Laliberte continued. “He saw the settlement with the federal government through and also with that of the provincial government, as they made apologies and settled with the survivors.” The Ile-a-la Crosse Boarding School was one of the oldest of its kind in Canada and didn’t cease operations until the mid-1970s. From the early 1820s, thousands of Métis children were removed from their loving homes and forced to assimilate. Many were well under the age of 10, forbidden to see brothers and sisters attending the same school, prevented from speaking their native tongue and coerced into learning English. Mr. Gardiner was five years old when he first went to the Ile-a-la Crosse school. He stayed there for nine years. “As a five year old, you don’t even know what you’re getting into,” he said when interviewed by Northern Pride several years ago. “You’re just a kid, you’re told to listen… It was very challenging.” Laliberte, meanwhile, said Mr. Gardiner was a proud Métis man. “And, he always spoke of how many were coming together to fight the good fight and ensuring the Métis were a force to be reckoned with,” Laliberte stated. “My heart goes out to his wife, Mary, his children, grandchildren, his teammates past and present, his community of Ile-a-la Crosse and to all who knew and loved him. He will definitely be missed. Until we meet again.”
Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River Liberal MP Buckley Belanger also expressed his grief over Mr. Gardiner’s passing. “I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of my friend and cousin Louis Gardiner,” Belanger remarked. “Louis was a lifelong, tireless advocate for his community and the causes he believed in, from standing up for residential school survivors to encouraging young people through hockey. He was also one of the finest hockey players to come out of northern Saskatchewan, thrilling crowds and helping put Ile-a-la Crosse on the map through his talent, determination and his love of the game. His passing is a major loss for Ile-a-la Crosse and for northern Saskatchewan. My heartfelt condolences to his family and everyone who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed.” In a subsequent interview, Belanger spoke with Northern Pride further about Mr. Gardiner’s talent on the ice.
“Louis was a tremendous, superior athlete and we’ve never seen anyone come out of Ile-a-la Crosse with his skillset ever since,” Belanger said. “He put our community on the map and could have made it a long way had we supported him more. Obviously, he transitioned to politics and, as our community strives to build a new arena, I believe it would be a great idea to honour him by naming that arena after him.” Belanger went on to describe Mr. Gardiner as the most advanced athlete to come out of Ile-a-la Crosse. “This was particularly the case when it came to hockey, but he was also a great baseball pitcher and played volleyball,” he said. “There are players who made the NHL with less skill who recognize Louis was one of the best players they’ve ever seen. He thrilled a lot of crowds, and my only regret is the fact he didn’t fail us by not realizing his goal of becoming the region’s first NHL player. I believe we failed him. We didn’t recognize, support or put our collective effort behind him at the time. But, he never scolded anyone about this, he just went out and scored more goals. And, until we meet again, I will pray for his family. There will never be another Louis Gardiner.” As of this week’s news deadline, the cause of Mr. Gardiner’s death had not been made public.