NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following message of condolence on the passing of Chris Montague:
“It was with great sadness that I received the news of Chris Montague’s passing. I know that Chris has struggled with health issues these past years. On behalf of NCC, our Governing Council and staff and the entire membership, I offer deepest condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.
Chris was President of the predecessor to NCC, the Labrador Metis Association, in 1986. He was there in the beginning, doing what he could to help ensure that his people, the Inuit of south and central Labrador, had a voice. Again, from 2006 to 2012, President Montague held office at the Labrador Metis Nation and what became the NunatuKavut Community Council under his tenure. He led this name change transition, which better reflects our Inuit culture and people.
President Montague provided leadership and guidance during very important chapters in our story. He was there during the early stages of the Muskrat Falls development and spoke strongly to uphold and defend the rights of our people in and around the Churchill River. During his tenure, he continued the work that had begun in the development of a major research project ‘Unveiling NunatuKavut: Document in Pursuit of Reclaiming a Homeland. Describing the Lands and People of South/Central Labrador,’ an in-depth submission to the Government of Canada in 2010. This work remains a very important document for NCC today.
I express a big thank you, nakummesuak, to former President Montague for the contributions he made to our governing body and our people. He will forever be part of the NCC story.
Chris loved his people and his places, and his home, North West River, was so important to him. Chris will be laid to rest in his beloved community, alongside his family, ancestors and kin.
Nakummek Chris, may you rest easy. You will be well remembered.”
The obituary for Chris Montague can be found here: https://fillatre.ca/tribute/details/15152/Wilson-Montague/obituary.html#content-start
A Celebration of Life service will be held on January 2, 2025 at 1:00pm at the United Church in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at 105 Hamilton River Road.