Intellectual, activist, ‘giant’ Arthur Manuel sung out by family across the threshold to the other side - APTN News

13.1.17

Intellectual, activist, ‘giant’ Arthur Manuel sung out by family across the threshold to the other side - APTN News: “He served our community for many years,” said Neskonlith Indian Band Chief Judy Wilson. “And he continued to work as a grassroots leader. He worked with the people on human rights and Indigenous rights and land claims. Arthur had an unbelievable devotion and commitment to his people, first and foremost, and always spoke about the next generation and ensuring that Mother Earth wasn’t destroyed, that the water wasn’t impacted, so the next generation would have something and be able to sustain themselves.”

Wilson said Manuel’s politics, in his last years, was driven by the love of his grandchildren.

“I think that his devotion to his grandchildren spoke for that. He was very caring, but he had a very strong fundamental belief in protecting Mother Earth and not taking more than we need from Mother Earth,” said Wilson.

“There is nobody that can fill his shoes. He is irreplaceable and you can’t duplicate him, not for everything that he did, his knowledge, his skills, his humour,” said close friend Russ Diabo. “It creates a big gap for Indigenous peoples in Canada, Internationally and locally.”