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CAFN MOURNS LOSS OF RESPECTED ELDER AND CHIEF RAYMOND JACKSON

CAFN MOURNS LOSS OF RESPECTED ELDER AND CHIEF RAYMOND JACKSON

 NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22, 2016

Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction)  –  Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) is mourning the loss of respected Elder and former Chief Raymond Alex Jackson (Kànälna), who passed away Monday evening, August 22, after a lengthy battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

“We are all mourning the loss of Chief Ray Jackson, who has worked diligently for Champagne and Aishihik people for many decades,” said Chief Steve Smith.  “He was at the forefront of our land claims process and continued to be an active member of our community, providing leadership to our government as a member of our Elders Senate Executive.  We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ray’s family at this sad time.”

Raymond Alex Jackson was the first child of Peter and Marge Jackson and was born April 26, 1939 in the bush.  He was a member of the Agunda (Wolf) Clan and the eldest of seven children.

Ray served on behalf of Champagne and Aishihik people as Chief in the early 1970s.  During that time he was responsible for beginning the process of negotiating CAFN’s land claims agreement, which was one of the first four Yukon First Nation land claims agreements signed with Canada and Yukon in 1993.

In the 1970s and 80s, Ray continued to be an active political leader as the President of the Yukon Native Brotherhood and Vice Chair for the Council of Yukon Indians (CYI).

Over his career, Ray also worked as the band manager for Champagne and Aishihik, the president of Champagne Aishihik Enterprises, the land claims coordinator for Kwanlin Dun, the band manager and in land claims for Kluane Tribal Council, a lobbyist for CYI, a realtor, and ran his own information technology business, FrostByte Computers, for many years.

Ray served on many terms on CAFN boards and committees, including the Lands and Housing committees, Haines Junction Community Justice Committee, and as a CAFN General Assembly delegate.

Ray is survived by his wife Jenny, daughters Sue-Ann and Crystal, and siblings Florence, Grady and Jackie. He is predeceased by his parents, Marge and Peter Jackson, and siblings Oliver, Margaret and Ronnie.

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For more information:
Amy McKinnon, Communications Manager
[email protected]
(867) 332-1973