Métis Nation of Saskatchewan mourns death of former leader Louis Gardiner

The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan announced the passing of one of its former leaders, Louis Gardiner, over the weekend. According to a social media post from the organization, Gardiner had served as a provincial treasurer, a Northern Region 3 regional representative, and a local president for the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. He also survived and was a survivor of the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School, a historic institution northwest of Saskatoon that operated from the 1820s until it was destroyed by fire in the 1970s.

Survivors of the boarding school shared accounts of the traumatic experiences they endured there, including being forbidden from speaking their language and facing frequent beatings when they did. Such harsh treatment resulted in the loss of their culture and identity. During a recent interview, Gardiner revealed that he was not permitted to use his name, instead being identified by a number—a circumstance he likened to life in prison.

The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan honored Gardiner's memory in a statement, praising him for his kindness, integrity, determination, and unwavering commitment to the Métis Nation. They emphasized that his contributions had played a crucial role in advancing justice for survivors and fortifying the Nation for future generations, acknowledging that he would be deeply missed.

Earlier this year, the province of Saskatchewan announced a $40 million payout to former students of the boarding school and their families. The federal government had previously reached a $27 million agreement in principle with survivors of the school and pledged an additional $10 million to support projects aimed at healing, education, language preservation, and cultural revitalization.