Passing of Matthew Traverse Mounrned

WINNIPEG – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) are mourning the sudden passing of Councillor Matthew Traverse of the Lake St. Martin First Nation. “He was always looking out for everybody else,” said his sister Charlotte Peebles.

Councillor Traverse died tragically on a Manitoba Highway late in the evening on January 20th, 2014 as he attempted to make his way to Brandon to visit his wife and family. The Councillor was driving near the Perimeter Highway around Winnipeg.

In a media statement issued January 22nd, “It is with heavy hearts and sadness that the Manitoba Chiefs acknowledge his passing and send condolences to the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, the Lake St. Martin First Nation, family and friends of the late Councillor. In a Chiefs Executive meeting yesterday, the executive Council of Chiefs acknowledged and mourned his passing in discussion and prayer”.

“The Lake St. Martin First Nation Chief and leadership council have suddenly lost a valuable contributor to the advancement of the community interests in an already tragic situation”, stated AMC Grand Chief Derek Nepinak. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and all those whose lives Councillor Traverse touched through his commitment to his community and his passion to see a future return home for his people back to their ancestral lands in the Interlake,” Grand Chief Nepinak concluded.

The Councillor was working on a class action law suit over flooding issues from flooding in Manitoba.

Matthew Traverse was also involved in the inspiration of the Idle No More movement.