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ENTERPRISE - The Northwest Territories has lost one of its most interesting and colourful characters, Joe Mercredi.

The well-known elder died on Feb. 23 at the age of 70 of complications from diabetes.

Joe Mercredi, a well-known resident of the NWT, died Feb. 23. - NNSL file photo

In his lifetime, Mercredi was many things – a Metis activist, a soldier, a newspaper publisher and more.

Mercredi was born in Fond du Lac, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Fort Smith from the time he was a child.

"Joseph was a Metis through and through," said his wife, Amy Mercredi.

In the early 1970s, Joe Mercredi founded the Northwest Territories Metis Association.

Mercredi was known as the Metis Prince, a nickname he gave to himself.

Amy said her late husband first used the nickname while working with the Native Council of Canada in Ottawa.

At a reception at an embassy, ambassadors and other dignitaries were being introduced, and then it was time for Joe to be introduced, she explained. "Joe said, 'Just call me the Metis Prince.' It just stuck with him ever since."

'Metis Prince' can even be seen written on large rocks alongside the highways to Fort Smith and Fort Simpson.

Since 2005, Mercredi had been living in an extended care room at the H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital in Hay River.

Before moving to the hospital, he was living in Enterprise.

Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod, whose riding includes Enterprise, said he and other MLAs were saddened to hear of Mercredi's death.

"Joe was a big part of the Northwest Territories," McLeod said. "Everybody knew Joe."

McLeod added Mercredi was also a big part of Metis politics in the NWT.

Mercredi was the kind of person to speak his mind, the MLA said. "He was not shy to say what he thought."

At the time of his death, Mercredi was writing a book on his experiences during three years at a residential school in Fort Resolution.

"Every time I wanted to put the book out for printing, he had another story to add," said Amy, adding she hopes to get the manuscript published.

Mercredi had a positive experience in residential school, she said. "That's why he wanted to put out this book."

Many of his recollections were humourous, she added. "They're absolutely funny."

The couple once published a newspaper in Fort Simpson.

Amy said The Mackenzie News started in 1972 and ran for about 10 years, until Joe was hired by a Metis association in Alberta.

In 1987, they relaunched the newspaper in Fort Simpson under the name The Mackenzie Times and it operated until 1994.

Mercredi was also a member of the Canadian Forces from 1957-1960 and served in what was then West Germany.

As a veteran, he wanted more recognition of aboriginal veterans and proposed building a monument in the NWT.

Tom Eagle, the chair of the NWT Aboriginal Veterans Association and a long-time friend of Mercredi, said he learned with great sorrow of the death of his comrade in arms.

Eagle said Mercredi was a "strong advocate" on issues affecting aboriginal veterans.

Mercredi was also a big fan of the Canadian Football League and attended every Grey Cup from 1973 to 1994.

Amy explained Joe viewed the Grey Cup parade as a way to promote the NWT.

Joe and Amy, who were married in 1971. adopted two children and fostered dozens of others while living in Fort Simpson.

A funeral service will be held on March 3 at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Fort Smith with burial to follow in Fort Fitzgerald, Alta.