Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson - The Deh Cho has lost a respected elder.

Leo Norwegian, 86, passed away on Sept. 14. He died in an Edmonton hospital following complications from liver surgery.

Elder Leo Norwegian, seen here with daughters Pearl Norwegian, left, and Lily (Tina) Norwegian will be remembered for the care he showed for his family members. - NNSL file photo

Martina Norwegian, one of Leo's daughters, said her father will be remembered for the care he showed his family.

"He always thought of family first," said Norwegian.

Even while sick Leo still thought about his large network of relatives. Martina saw her father off to his medical procedure and told him she hadn't eaten breakfast yet but would be waiting for him when he got out. She remembers his final words to her.

"Don't worry about me, my girl. I'll be all right."

Family, language and the land were important things in Leo's life, Martina said.

When Leo wanted to teach his children a lesson he would hide the message in a story about one of his experiences.

"Sometimes it was funny and sometimes it had tragic endings," she said.

Leo wouldn't directly tell his children what to do and told them whatever happened to just pick themselves up and keep going, she said.

"He always encouraged us to do the best we can," Martina said.

Leo often talked about his experiences on the land, she added. He grew up at Rabbitskin and also had a cabin at Willow Lake and along the Liard Highway. She remembers that her father would be amused at her pronunciation of words in Slavey.

"He would laugh and then he would correct me," she said. Although he loved the land, Leo travelled many places in his life and did twice as many things as some people, according to Martina. "He lived such a full life," she said.

For the Dehcho First Nations Leo was a great source of knowledge and history, said Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, a nephew. Leo knew all the great leaders in the area, he said.

"You're taking a whole encyclopedia and putting it away forever," the grand chief said about Leo's passing.

Leo was also one of the heads of the elder's council.

He was often outspoken about his feelings about the land and youth.

Many times he said that he hoped to remain involved until a land agreement had been reached, Herb said.

"He was so vocal and determined the Dehcho Process be right up front," he said.

Sometimes Leo's outspoken nature would get him barred from meetings but even then he would pass on his message through other elders or leaders, Herb said.

A funeral service for Leo is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at Thomas Simpson high school.