A Manitoba elder who founded an internationally recognized center that shares indigenous knowledge and teachings has died at the age of 71.
The Turtle Lodge Center of Excellence in Indigenous Education and Welfare says in a social media post that Dave Courchene Jr. died Wednesday morning.
He says he died peacefully at his home in Sagkeeng First Nation surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Courchene founded the hostel in the First Nation in southern Manitoba in 2002 as a gathering place to facilitate intergenerational awareness, language revitalization, youth leadership training, and environmental solutions to climate change.
The center also says that the elder Anishinaabe shared the stage with other spiritual leaders over the years, including the Dalai Lama.
Courchene was recognized for his work at a special event last month when Governor General Mary Simon thanked him for his determination, wisdom and perseverance in protecting indigenous knowledge and the environment.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca