Fort Smith (Feb 16/04) - A well-known and respected Fort Smith elder passed away last week. Frank Laviolette, 77, died Feb. 9, after being ill for several years with a heart condition.

Elder Frank Laviolette of Fort Smith died last week after a lengthy illness.

Known as "Big Frank," he was a prominent player for decades in the struggle for aboriginal rights. His involvement in politics goes back to the 1960s, when he helped start the Thebacha Association. Among other things, that aboriginal organization built and repaired homes.

In the 1970s, he helped found Metis Local 50 and served as its president. He also became vice president of the NWT Metis Association.

Laviolette served as chief of the former Fitz-Smith Native Band. Later, he became a member of Salt River First Nation.

Ken Laviolette says his father was there at the beginnings of modern aboriginal politics in Fort Smith and the NWT. "He was very involved right from the start." As a young orphan, Frank Laviolette was first raised by Chief Squirrel, whose signature is on 1899's Treaty 8.

Many years later, Laviolette saw the fulfilment of promises made in Treaty 8.

"Of the many things he saw in the political world, the witnessing of the final treaty land entitlement settlement agreements of the Smith's Landing First Nation and the Salt River First Nation were monumental to him and his people," states his eulogy, read at a Feb. 13 funeral by Smith's Landing Chief Jerry Paulette.

A number of prominent politicians attended the funeral to pay their final respects, including Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew and Akaitcho Territory chiefs. Laviolette dedicated himself to preserving the bison in Wood Buffalo Nation Park, and was an outspoken opponent of any plan to eradicate the diseased herd.

According to his eulogy: "He fought for this with all the passion he had and was prepared to go to any length to make sure nothing was going to happen to the buffalo and to make sure they remain free forever."