Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sorrow that I rise to recognize Harold Cardinal, a renowned first nations leader and a hero to his people, who passed away early this morning.
Harold was a law school classmate of mine and he was also a friend. He was also a dear friend and adviser to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Dr. Cardinal may be best known for his landmark books on first nations issues. He wrote The Unjust Society, the Rebirth of Canada's Indians , a book that brought attention and change to policies that would have eroded the integrity of aboriginal life.
Harold studied law at prestigious universities like Harvard and was president of the Indian Association of Alberta, chief of the Sucker Creek Band, vice-chief of the Assembly of First Nations and a Treaty 8 negotiator. Most recently he was working on his doctorate in law from the University of British Columbia. In 1999 he received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Alberta and was called to the bar of Alberta last year.
I ask all members to join me in offering condolences to Harold's family and his countless friends. He will be greatly missed by all Canadians.