Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

BECHOKO/RAE-EDZO - The NWT lost one if its most respected and knowledgeable elders last week. George Blondin, 87, died on Oct. 12 after suffering a stroke at his home in Behchoko.

Blondin was born and raised near Great Bear Lake before moving to Behchoko.

Renowned aboriginal storyteller George Blondin died last week at the age of 87. --photo courtesy of Rene Fumoleau

He was best known as a storyteller and author. He wrote three books and penned a weekly column for News/North. As a columnist, he was best known for keeping traditional Dene stories alive. However, he was not afraid to weigh in with his political opinions concerning the effect of modernization on aboriginal lifestyle. In 1990, he was the recipient of the Ross Charles Award for Native Journalism and later in 2003 Blondin was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada.

As a child, Tlicho grand chief George Mackenzie often listened to Blondin speak with his father. Blondin was a friend of the Mackenzie family and frequently stayed at Mackenzie's childhood home in Behchoko when he was travelling between Deline and Yellowknife by dogsled.

"I had a lot of respect for him because he contributed to the society and the culture," said Mackenzie.

Blondin was an enthusiastic handgames player; a successful dog handler and trapper; worked in the Giant Mine; and made a living as a wilderness guide before turning to writing.

"He was always respectful to everyone. He lived a very full complete life," said Mackenzie.

After moving to Behchoko, Blondin was eventually registered as a Dogrib beneficiary despite being born near Deline. He always took part in community meetings and often offered advice to Mackenzie throughout his political career.

Mackenzie praised Blondin's storytelling skills. He remembered driving home from Edmonton with Blondin on one occasion. Along the way, Blondin told stories from his youth to help pass the time.

"He told me a good story that took two hours and in no time I was in Peace River," said Mackenzie.

Blondin's stories appeared regularly in News/North. Managing editor Bruce Valpy knew Blondin and remembered him as a wise and spiritual writer.

"He was a very humble person but also very direct when he wanted something," said Valpy.

He described Blondin as a prolific writer who submitted pages and pages of handwritten material. Much of that writing ended up in Blondin's weekly column. He also succeeded in publishing three books.

In 2006, it was thought Blondin had put his pen down for good, when, midway through one one of his submitted columns, he eccentrically resigned.

At the time, Blondin said failing eyesight and deteriorating health was forcing him to step away from his weekly submissions. But, he couldn't stay away for long. Earlier this year, his handwritten epics once again began to cross the News/North editorial desk, replacing weekly reruns selected from more than a decade worth of material.

His final submission will appear in the upcoming edition of News/North.

"I think that unlike many writers he will be read for a long time, and people will be interpreting what he wrote," said Valpy.

Blondin's funeral was held Wednesday afternoon in Yellowknife.