The Chief of the Chippewas of Nawash is being remember as a quiet hero.
Ralph Akiwenzie passed away last Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Akiwenzie was 64.
Akiwenzie is fondly remembered both within his own community, and among First Nations around the country.
Chief Randall Kahgee of the Saugeen First Nation says Chief Akiwenzie was both a mentor and a good listener.
Kahgee first met Akiwenzie when he was 16, while serving as a driver for his late uncle Richard Kahgee — then Chief of the Saugeen First Nation.
Kahgee describes Akiwenzie as a quiet hero.
A wake for Ralph Akiwenzie will be held Monday at the Cape Croker Community Centre and a funeral will be held at 11 AM Tuesday at St. Mary’s Church at Cape Croker.
Kahgee says a delegation from his community will be attending Tuesday’s funeral.
Kahgee says Akiwenzie’s career highlight was the community victory in the Jones-Nigowan case, a 100 year struggle.
Ralph Akiwenzie would have turned 65 this coming Thursday.
