Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson - Elder Leo Norwegian was mourned at a funeral that filled the Thomas Simpson school gymnasium on Sept. 21.

Elder Leo Norwegian is remembered as a traditional man. - NNSL file photo

More than 300 people attended the service in Fort Simpson to pay their final respects. Norwegian passed away at age 86 on Sept. 14 in an Edmonton hospital following complications from a liver procedure.

Norwegian's long life filled with a variety of experiences was remembered at the funeral.

"He's done many things in his life," said his nephew Jim Antoine, who gave a eulogy.

Norwegian began his life at Rabbitskin where he was born and raised in a traditional way. He was the oldest of Joseph and Elizabeth Norwegian's 10 children.

"He was always close to the land," said Antoine.

When he was young, Norwegian spent time on the land with his grandfather hunting and trapping. He learned about local history and picked up all the skills he needed to live in the bush. He was an expert on the land, said Antoine.

The Horn Plateau, a traditional area for the people of Rabbitskin, was also important to Norwegian, said Antoine. Willow Lake was another of Norwegian's favourite places. He had a cabin there and spent a lot of time there as a young man, said Antoine.

People who knew Norwegian will remember him as a good person to be around, Antoine said.

"He always loved to laugh and make people laugh," he said.

Even while sick, Norwegian retained his sense of humour. While filling out an information form at the hospital during his last trip, Norwegian was asked if he was married, divorced, common law, single or widowed.

"All of the above," was his answer, said Antoine.

During his life Norwegian tried many things.

"Like any Rabbitskin Dene he worked hard with his hands all his life," said Antoine.

At various times Norwegian trapped, worked on a riverboat, helped to build Inuvik in the 1950s, was a heavy equipment operator and a big-game hunting guide in the Nahanni mountains.

In his later years, Norwegian took the role of being an elder seriously. He entered politics in the Deh Cho in the early 1990s and was a band councillor as well as a member of the elders council. Norwegian used his life's knowledge and applied it to today's issues, said Antoine.

"He always said we cannot let the land go and we have to be strong on it," Antoine said.

"We must keep and remember all of his messages."

Steven Cli also remembers Norwegian passing on teachings and stories.

"He would tell me some good stories," said Cli in his eulogy.

Florence Isiah, one of Norwegian's sisters, remembers his way of life.

"He was a traditional man," she said.

Norwegian would take his son Brandon (Button) Norwegian with him to his cabin near Poplar River, where they would spend time on the land and the river.

"Everybody will miss him. Everybody looked up to him and asked him for advice," Isiah said.

Norwegian leaves behind many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.