Mushkegowuk Council offers its condolences to friends and family of Mike Wabano, a former chief of Peawanuck, who was a respected leader, a dedicated community member and a strong defender of the environment.

He passed away this week.

“Mike was a good father and grandfather, but one thing that earned him a lot of respect was that he had a heart for the people,” said Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Leo Friday. “He was very caring about the people he represented.”

Wabano was also very passionate about conservation and the environment. He frequently spoke in support of land stewardship and the protection of caribou, beluga whales, polar bears, local rivers and streams, and nesting areas for blue geese and snow geese. He shared concerns about the potential effects of climate change on wildlife along the northern coast.

The Grand Chief said Mike was always happy to share his vast knowledge of the region with Mushkegowuk staff when they were conducting research on polar bears and marine life in the Peawanuck area.

“He contributed a lot of knowledge of the land,” said Friday.

The Grand Chief said Mushkegowuk joins Peawanuck in mourning the loss of a community leader who displayed an equal measure of compassion and local knowledge.