Brent Reaney
Northern News Services

Snare Lakes (Aug 29/05) - As one of the community's founders, elder Louis Whane will be remembered for the tales he told.

"Every time people would come to our community, the first thing they would do is go to Mr. Whane's to hear his stories," said Joseph Judas, a former Wekweti chief.

Wekweti elder Louis Whane, shown here during a barbecue in 1986, passed away peacefully in his home, Aug. 13.

Around 4 a.m. on Aug. 13, the 83-year-old passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by friends and family, after a seven-month battle with lung cancer.

"It's a big empty house, now that he's gone," said daughter Beatrice Whane.

He is described as being strong and intelligent, as well as a respected hunter and trapper who was an important member of the community.

A man who knew where the caribou were roaming and the fish were biting, Whane's stories told of years spent travelling on the land.

"He'd tell stories to anybody, old and young," Judas said. "All the good things he has done for the community, we're going to be missing him."

Born in the bush, in 1960 Whane helped start the small settlement of Wekweti, located about 200 kilometres Northeast of Yellowknife, and currently home to about 150 people.

Many of Whane's years in the community were spent as a band councillor, and Judas fondly remembers working with him during his 16 years as chief. After 15 years of negotiation, the Tlicho self-government officially took office Aug. 4, less than two weeks before his passing.

More than 200 people - about 80 of whom flew in on twin otters from Tlicho communities of Behchoko and Whati - filled the Wekweti church for Whane's funeral, Aug. 15.

As late as last fall, Whane was going out caribou hunting on his snowmobile.

But in January, chest pains turned out to be a symptom of tuberculosis. Then, while at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, a spot on his lung was found to be cancerous.

Instead of staying in Yellowknife, Whane asked to spend his final days at home. "Even though he probably felt the pain, he never told us, and he never showed us," Judas said.

He is survived by daughter Beatrice, 35, and son Joseph Whane, 45.