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CAFN mourns passing of past chief

Tuesday, 17 September 2024 15:39

By Stuart Bonell X @BonellStuart

Chief Bob Charlie poses with his guitar (Photo: submitted by Champagne and Aishihik First Nations)

"Singing Chief" Bob Charlie dead at 76

A past Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief has died.

In a media release on Tuesday, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations announced the loss of Chief Bob Charlie at the age of 76.

Charlie was elected Chief in 1998, and served a four year term in that role. He was known by CAFN citizens as the Singing Chief, and he performed with bands such as the Klukshu Boogie Band for many years before and after his term.

According to the media release, Charlie shared messages about land claims negotiations, and worked for ten years to support residential school survivors in the Yukon before he retired.

The media release also makes note of Charlie’s media and recording skills. He wrote a weekly column for the Whitehorse Star called Charlie’s Chuckles, and was a broadcaster for CBC North before his election as Chief.

Charlie was also a key player in helping CHON-FM get onto the airwaves in the early 1980s.

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