The Passing of SRWA Founder Ernie Bussidor
January 28, 2024
It is with great sadness that we share about the passing of our founder, Ernie Bussidor. We send our deepest sympathies to his family and wide circle of friends.
It was Ernie’s love of the land, our culture, and the caribou that helped launch the Seal River Watershed Alliance and advance our Nations’ shared vision to create an Indigenous Protected Area.
After the historic signing ceremony a few weeks ago that granted interim protection for the watershed, Ernie told his friend Dr. Hill, who offered congratulations, “Awe thanks buddy that’s uplifting. I can now continue on my spirit journey knowing my children and their children will have a safe and secure future."
Ernie was raised by his maternal grandparents, Peter and Mary Bussidor, Dene elders who taught Ernie all aspects of Dene history, culture, and language. He was also taught how to hunt, fish, and sustain himself off the land. Ernie learned the drum songs by listening to the Elders and was taught the stories of life on the land through his grandparents. The dark years of Dene Village, Churchill remained with him. After attending high school in Winnipeg, Ernie moved to Tadoule Lake in 1974 where he found abundant caribou and lakes teeming with fish.
Over the years, Ernie served many roles in our community. He was elected for three terms as Chief and twice as Councillor for the Sayisi Dene First Nation, he was the Patrol Commander for the Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Tadoule Lake, and he was an alternate member of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board.
In 2016 outsiders came to the Seal River Watershed and slaughtered over 5,000 caribou. Ernie was heartbroken but driven to ensure this didn’t happen again. He began reaching out to his friends in neighbouring communities, and soon the Seal River Watershed Alliance was launched to work toward establishing the Indigenous Protected Area.
May Ernie’s passion and need for self-determination, united voices, and the love of family and the Caribou continue to fuel this work and continue push and propel us forward.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you Ernie.
