Métis Nation of Saskatchewan mourns death of former leader Louis Gardiner
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan says one of its former leaders died over the weekend.
A social media post says Louis Gardiner served as a provincial treasurer, Northern Region 3 regional representative and local president for the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan.
It says he was also a survivor of a boarding school for Métis and First Nations children.
The Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School, northwest of Saskatoon, operated from the 1820s until it burned down in the 1970s.
Survivors said they were banned from speaking their language and were frequently beaten if they did, resulting in the loss of their culture and identity.
Gardiner said last year that he was not allowed to use his name and was instead called by a number — something he equated to life in prison.
“Louis will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, determination and lifelong service to the Métis Nation,” the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan said in the post.
“His contributions helped advance justice for survivors and strengthened our Nation for future generations. He will be deeply missed.”
Saskatchewan announced last year it would pay $40 million to former students of the boarding school and their families.
The federal government earlier reached a $27-million agreement in principle for survivors of the school, and promised a fund of $10 million for projects to help with healing, education, language and culture.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2026.