The death of former Dettah chief Edward Sangris is being deeply felt by people across the Northwest Territories.

SA国际影视传媒淐hief Sangris was a wonderful leader,SA国际影视传媒� Yellowknife Coun. Steve Payne stated soon after the news of SangrisSA国际影视传媒� death surfaced on Tuesday morning. SA国际影视传媒淚 always admired his leadership style. His thoughtful comments and the way he listened to others made it easy to see that he earned the respect and admiration of everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him. His passing is a great loss for this whole territory.

SA国际影视传媒淚 only wish I had gotten to spend more time with him.SA国际影视传媒�

There was an immediate outpouring of condolences in response to the Yellowknives Dene First NationSA国际影视传媒檚 announcement of the news on Oct. 31. Within hours, well over 100 people had expressed their sadness and wished the Sangris family well on Facebook.

Several of those who responded were in public office.

SA国际影视传媒淗e has dedicated most of his life in leadership roles,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Behchoko Chief Clifford Daniels. SA国际影视传媒淢ay he be among our past great leaders in the great hall.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淪ending my thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences to the Sangris family along with my gratitude for all of the love, leadership and heart Chief Sangris invested in the North,SA国际影视传媒� said Caitlin Cleveland, the acclaimed MLA for Kam Lake, a district of Yellowknife.

The admiration for Sangris comes as no surprise.

He served four consecutive terms as Dettah chief, holding the post from August 2007 until this past September, when, after guiding his community through the turmoil of the summerSA国际影视传媒檚 wildfires, he stepped down due to health issues.

His near-16-year term as a political leader was full of breakthroughs and accomplishments, including a 2022 meeting with then-Prince Charles.

Sangris also spent 12 years as a band councillor for the YKDFN.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is a profound loss for the YKDFN communities of Dettah and Ndilo,SA国际影视传媒� said Meagan Wowk, principal at KSA国际影视传媒檃lemi Dene School in Ndilo. SA国际影视传媒淐hief Sangris was a true leader and role model. He worked hard for his communities and was committed to ensuring our students had access to the best education and opportunities.

SA国际影视传媒淗e always supported KSA国际影视传媒檃lemi Dene School and our students. If we asked for something, he made it happen. Chief Sangris always supported education in Ndilo and Dettah. I know he will be remembered for his wisdom, compassion and community commitment.SA国际影视传媒�

While SangrisSA国际影视传媒� passing will be felt most acutely among people in his home community, people much farther afield are also mourning.

SA国际影视传媒淓dward Sangris was a great human, an amazing leader, and he loved his people and people in general,SA国际影视传媒� said Jonathan Antoine, who lives hundreds of kilometers from Dettah, in Fort Simpson. SA国际影视传媒淗e will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to YKDFN and his family. Mahsi, Eddy, for what you did for the North.SA国际影视传媒�

Sangris was born in Dettah, and lived a traditional lifestyle with his family in the community, where he enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing.

Before his time in office, he spent 23 years working as a heavy machinery operator in the mining industry.

His move to politics likely felt predestined to some, as his father Joseph served as Dettah chief for 32 years, and his brother Jonas held the position for 12 years. His other brother Fred is also in politics, currently serving as chief of Ndilo.

SA国际影视传媒淐hief Edward Sangris comes from a long line of leadership for the Yellowknives Dene,SA国际影视传媒� said former YKDFN chief Darrell Beaulieu. SA国际影视传媒淐hief Sangris was an experienced man, on the land and in the community as a leader, as a Yellowknives Dene councillor and chief, and was strong in the language and culture of the Yellowknives Dene. His experience in the mining industry and as a wildlife officer and in boardrooms of business such as DetSA国际影视传媒檕n Cho Corporation, Denendeh Development Corp. and Denendeh Investments Inc. has helped advance the growing Indigenous economy in the North.

SA国际影视传媒淗e asked many questions, so he may understand the background, issues and possible solutions that was needed to make life better in our communities,SA国际影视传媒� Beaulieu added. SA国际影视传媒淲e will miss his engagement and thoughtful discussion on what was important to each one of us.SA国际影视传媒�

The circumstances of SangrisSA国际影视传媒� death had not been made public as of Tuesday afternoon.

Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty noted that flags at city facilities will be lowered to half-mast until sunset on the day of the former chiefSA国际影视传媒檚 service.

SA国际影视传媒淪ad to hear of the passing of Ed Sangris, former chief of Dettah,SA国际影视传媒� Alty wrote on her Facebook page. SA国际影视传媒淗aving served his community for 28 years, he had a deep love and passion for his residents, culture, family and community.

SA国际影视传媒淗e taught me a lot, not only in words of advice, but in his leadership,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檒l miss our coffee and chats, and his devilish smile and laugh.SA国际影视传媒�