Northern Alberta traditional chief passes away at 89

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Alberta lost what is believed to have been its last traditional chief when Harry Gabriel Chonkolay passed away on July 30 in the Dene Tha community of Chateh (Assumption) in the northwestern part of the province.

In 1938, Chonkolay was selected by community Elders to be chief of his people. He was selected for his courage, honesty and strong work ethic. He remained chief until 1994 when, due to poor health, he stepped down from office after 55 years of service.

At his retirement party, Chief Chonkolay wore the same chief suit he was presented by the federal government in 1938.

At his funeral, Chief Chonkolay was laid to rest in the same suit.

His family and his many friends from the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community remember him as a man who lived the traditional life. As traditional chief, he was not paid for his leadership. He hunted, trapped, fished, ranched, and logged.

A spiritual man, in the eulogy, Chonkolay was described by the Latin name, "Sui Generis," which means "one of a kind." It was a name given to him by the Oblate missionaries.

Born in 1909, Chonkolay married Elizabeth Mercredi in 1928 and raised eight children.

For the next 55 years, Chief Chonkolay brought many changes to the people of the north.

When he became chief, there were no reserves in the northwestern part of the province, said his grandson Will Willier.

With persistence and a lot of hard work, Chonkolay led the way in lobbying the provincial and then federal governments for the granting of reserve land. In 1957 Chief Chonkolay's work paid off as the government granted the request.

While he was pursuing reserve land, Chonkolay was also looking for more ways to improve the way of life for his people, said Willier.

As economic development with oil and gas began to be recognized and grow in the northern part of the province, Chonkolay knew the Dene Tha must also develop and grow.

Willier said his grandfather was leading the push to bring roads, schools, churches and hospitals to the steadily growing area.

He did all that, said Willier, while continuing to be the head of his family and the head of the Dene Tha people.

"He was saint-like. He was gentle, smart, always available, funny. . . He wasn't scared of anything and we all respected him in those ways," said Willier.

Current Dene Tha chief, James Ahnassay, was elected to the position in 1993, after Chonkolay's traditional position was not passed on.

Ahnassay has a great deal of respect for the man who helped to sculpt the lives and future of the 4,000 people living within the three main reserves making up the Dene Tha band.

"He came through an era of great change," said Ahnassay.

Chonkolay was the fourth traditional chief to guide the Dene Tha people.

Chiefs Chateh, Zama, and Talley led the people before him.

All four chiefs are remembered in stories, legend and through the memorial naming of the band's administrative offices, said Ahnassay.

The Four Chiefs Complex was named to show the respect the community has for it's traditional leaders.

Chief Harry Gabriel Chonkolay was 89 when he passed away. For the last two years of his life, failing health, including a series of strokes, kept him in hospitals for extended periods.

Chief Chonkolay was predeceased by his wife and four of his children. He leaves behind four children, 20 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.