Tłı̨chǫ elder remembered as family man, jokester, and negotiator with 'big legacy'

A well-known Tłı̨chǫ elder in the N.W.T. is being remembered as a kind and loving family man, a jokester, and a land-claim negotiator who leaves behind a "really big legacy." 

Ted Blondin died on Friday at the hospital in Yellowknife. His nephew, Tim O'Loan, said so many people were there to say goodbye that the cafeteria became something of a waiting room. He was 72.

"What an incredible legacy when you have that many people showing up to the hospital to say goodbye," said O'Loan. 

Among those Blondin leaves behind are his wife, Violet Camsell-Blondin, and their children and grandchildren. 

Blondin was the chief negotiator of the Dene Métis process. In 1990, Dene and Métis leadership did not ratify the agreement that emerged from that process but it did become a framework for regional negotiations – including the Tłı̨chǫ Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement, which Blondin would also become involved in, led by

"He was one of the main pillars, that's for sure," recalled John B. Zoe, who led those negotiations. 

The negotiating work Blondin had already done meant he had helpful connections within the territorial government and in Ottawa, said Zoe.

"Every time we travelled … he did all the correspondence and looking for the money and all that kind of stuff to keep it going," he said. 

Having been a co-founder and editor at The Native Press, Zoe said Blondin was also a good communicator, with skills to get the claim "to the forefront" — which Zoe said they needed. 

In a statement, N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson called Blondin a "remarkable leader whose vision and commitment helped shape the future of the Tłįchǫ Region and the Northwest Territories.

"His tireless efforts to advance education, health, social well-being, and self-governance — most recently as chair of the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency — leave a legacy of service that will be felt for generations."

'Loved to tease, loved to laugh'

Zoe also recalled a time Blondin, then managing a school, convinced him to fill in on his volleyball team for a weekend matchup. Zoe, a shift engineer at the time, had been there to check on a heating or air exchange system and was wearing his work attire – but he agreed to play. 

"I just kind of struggled through it," he said. 

The team won the game, and then "all of a sudden there was a reporter there … they snapped a picture of us and I didn't know what was going on."

A week later, Zoe saw that the Native Press printed a story about the game – saying the team he'd been on had won the territorial championships. 

"I ended up there in the paper with him [Blondin]," he said with a laugh. 

O'Loan, who now lives in Ottawa, said that his uncle leaves behind a big legacy. He also has fond memories of the uncle he describes more as a "father figure." O'Loan said he was adopted, but when he moved home to the N.W.T. in 1998, "Uncle Ted was there, and without judgment — just basically brought me into his life.

"He just, like, made me feel at home." 

O'Loan said his uncle had been a survivor of residential schools, but he didn't let the trauma of his youth hinder him. 

"He was a trickster and a jokester, loved to tease, loved to laugh, you know, just kind of lived a very authentic, loving life," said O'Loan. Even after having a severe stroke ten years ago, O'Loan said when he'd visit Blondin "the magic was still there" and that "even the stroke did not impact his soul." 

O'Loan said he recently travelled to Edmonton to say goodbye, before his uncle was brought back to Yellowknife. He said the family had been "comforted in the fact that it was time for the Creator to call him home."