Fort Simpson (Apr 01/05) - Hundreds of Fort Simpson residents gathered Saturday to pay their final respects to elder William Antoine, who died last week of heart failure.

Antoine was remembered by family and friends as a skilled hunter and trapper who supported his family through a traditional lifestyle.

William Antoine: He supported his family through a traditional lifestyle.

"He knew the land and he was an excellent hunter, trapper and fisherman," said son and former premier Jim Antoine.

Antoine was roughly 94 when passed away Wednesday in Fort Simpson. He leaves behind a family that included 12 children, 28 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Baptized in 1910, Antoine grew up in small village near Willow River, south of present-day Wrigley. Like many elders born on the land, his birthday is uncertain.

Antoine travelled throughout the Deh Cho during his life, hunting caribou and moose in places like the Horn Plateau, the Nahanni River and Cli Lake.

He married Cecille Norwegian sometime before the middle of the century and began raising a family at Rabbitskin River, about 30 km north of Fort Simpson.

Jim Antoine said his father built a log cabin for the family and supported them by hunting, fishing and trapping.

"He worked very hard to provide for his children and wife," said Antoine.

Cecille died in 1974, but the elder Antoine continued to live on the land, only settling in Fort Simpson towards the end of his life.

Jim Antoine said his father encouraged his children to treat the land with respect.

"He wanted us to carry on our traditions."

The memorial service was held Saturday afternoon at the recreation centre in Fort Simpson and it included a eulogy by Dehcho First Nation Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, followed by a feast and drum dance.