By Catherine Hansen

Justa Monk Remembered

Mar 19, 2018 | 3:45 PM

TACHE — It was standing room only at the Eugene Joseph school in Tache this afternoon – as a hereditary chief and advocate was laid to rest. Justa Monk passed away March 14th at the age of 75.

Through his life, the residential school survivor faced struggles which he overcame with the help of his community and elders. He went on to become Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council twice and until last summer Chief of the Tl’azt’en First Nation. Chief Wilf Adam from the Babine Lake First Nation remembers Monk as a strong voice for all first nations and someone with a good sense of humour. Monk’s passion was to help youth – and recently Monk was working to restore the Carrier language and culture within his nation.

Grand Chief Ed John says Monk was like a brother to him, and the community is in deep mourning for the loss of the well-respected elder.