Remembering
Harry W. Daniels

Brenda Blyan
Edmonton, AB

I first met Harry Daniels in 1973 after returning to Ottawa from working in Yellowknife with the IBNWT. Cheryl, I have fond memories of you, Brenda, Harry and me spending many a late night together in Ottawa. I am very sad for you and your family at this time, however very happy that you and Harry were able to have this time together. My thoughts are with you.

Evelyn Lyons
Toronto, Ontario

We are very sorry to have read about the passing of Harry Daniels. Please extend to the family and friends out deepest condolences. He will be a man missed by the Métis Community.

Yours,
Sharon Eyford
Secretary/Treasurer
Nova Métis Heritage Society
Surrey ,British Columbia

I first met Harry Daniels many years ago in connection with the historic Manitoba Métis legal claim that became known as Dumont v. Canada. Although Harry and my client did not see entirely eye-to-eye about the issues raised by the case, those differences did not prevent my grudging respect for his dedication and his intellect. That respect blossomed into admiration when, almost single-handedly, Harry won constitutional recognition for Métis rights in the Constitution Act, 1982. Later, both as his counsel and as his friend, I was periodically overwhelmed by Harry's determination, sagacity and humour. He will long be remembered publicly as a man of conviction, courage and charisma, and as the Father of Métis constitutional rights. I will remember him as a rarely attractive human being.

Dale Gibson
Edmonton, Alberta

His friend,
Bobbi Waddell
Toronto, Ontario

Harry was a remarkable man and I feel privileged to have known him
personally. My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.

I'll miss you Harry,
Delaney Waddell
Toronto, Ontario

Harry was one of my best friends. That friendship was forged one cold night
in January of 1981, when the Joint House of Commons and Senate Committee on the Constitution was meeting in the West Block. Four of us, Jean Chretien, Svend Robinson, myself and Harry Daniels were having a heated discussion (and what discussion with Harry was never heated?) about a motion that was to be introduced. This unprecedented motion was for recognition of Aboriginal rights including Inuit, Indian, and well, the discussion had to do with the inclusion of Métis, as well as who would move it. Chretien wanted to make the motion as the Government representative, and I wanted to make the motion as the only Aboriginal member sitting around the table. Chretien also did not want the inclusion of "Métis" but had been granted leave to do so under pressure. He got pressure on that point from Harry. He also acquiesced, with Harry's help, to having me make the motion in recognition of Indian, Inuit and Métis rights. Well, Harry made my day, and Harry and I became friends after that.

Goodbye old friend, tagvauvutit.
Peter Ittinuar
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat

I have just learned of the passing of Harry Daniels, Métis leader and spokesman extraordinaire. I was blessed to know him well, and associated with him excellently during the Aboriginal Constitutional conferences of the 1980's. The defining ingredient in our relationship was the sharing of a lot of intense non-seriousness.

I once helped engineer honoring Harry as an "Honorary Eskimo", at one of the countless inter-aboriginal meetings of the time. He was extremely and genuinely proud of the honor, and would kid others with, "Don't mess with me, I'm an Honorary Eskimo!" or, "I'll sic my Inuit brothers on you!" During speeches at meetings with government ministers, he relished quoting something or other I had said, calling them, and quoting them as "Nungak-isms".

Among his own people he was nicknamed "Harry the Dog". When I told Harry that "Dog" was Qimmiq in Inuktitut, he insisted on training his tongue phonetically on saying the word right. Thereafter, many an overly serious discourse on constitutional minutae was pleasantly interrupted by Harry trying to wean his tongue off 'KIM-MILK' to 'Qimmiq'. He would get it perfect, but would have to be trained all over again at the next meeting.

Harry Daniels was a gifted orator who spoke from the heart. He did his job of asserting the rights of the Métis people with vivid passion. I never once heard him merely read a speech in drab monotone. He spoke as he lived, with color, with humor, and in a manner that could be described by all who heard him as being 'really alive!'

People with a gifted character are often described as "one-of-a-kind". Harry was certainly that, and more. If he stepped on more than a few toes in the course of shaking out some recognition and respect for the Métis people, he did it with class, without insulting anybody. Although his people have been downtrodden through history, Harry never carried himself with any sense of inferiority to anybody else.

"Hey, Brother! Hey! Fellow Eskimo!" His voice would boom across the lobby of a hotel or a meeting room. Then he would embrace me in a vise-grip bear hug, and, without skipping a beat, slide right into how we got to lean hard on Such and Such a minister at the next ministerial sit-down. He'd have me on side before we sat down. He was a charming born leader.

The Métis Nation has lost a great asset in Harry Daniels. But all who knew him have been enriched by his natural magnetism. R.I.P. Harry!

Zebedee Nungak

I am writing to say how sorry I was to hear that Harry had passed away, and on behalf of the Aboriginal Summit, to offer my deepest sympathy for your loss. Please pass this letter on to your family - Chantelle, Chigal, Michael, Conway, Gabriel and Alexandre and my condolences for the loss of their father.

I knew Harry for a number of years, as many of us who work in Aboriginal politics did. Harry's work with the Native Council of Canada and other national organizations often brought him north. As a young Métis person, I remember Harry encouraging us as northerners to stand by what we believed and to take action instead of sitting back. Harry was the kind of person that when he talked, you listened. He had much to say and said it well. He encouraged us to work on behalf of our people. And so I did, eventually as Premier of the Northwest Territories.

By leading the way, Harry made our trail easier. He was a champion for Métis people and a pioneer in achieving recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights. Harry's role in securing a place for Métis in the Canadian Constitution as a recognized Aboriginal people, ensured that Métis were not forgotten people. He made all of us proud when he was awarded the Aboriginal Order of Canada.

Harry's efforts and conviction spanned the globe from his work with the United Nations to the World Council of Indigenous People - and touched us here in the North.

One occasion I remember most fondly was when the Pope made his historic visit to the Northwest Territories. At the time, I was working as a contractor and building the Pope's podium for his address to the people who travelled from across the territory to Fort Simpson to see him. On account of bad weather, the Pope's flight to Fort Simpson, fogged in. Harry was in Yellowknife, waiting for his charter flight to Fort Simpson, one of the few Aboriginal people there.

It was Harry who welcomed the Pope to the North on behalf of all the Aboriginal people. Harry took off his own jacket and gave it to the Pope as a gift. I remember this gesture because it was the right thing to do. Welcoming visitors with warmth and gifts is part of our culture and who we are. That day he made us all proud as Aboriginal People.

As an Aboriginal politician myself, and knowing how close our families are as Aboriginal people, I know the sacrifices that you and your family made over the years when Harry's work took him away from home. I would like to thank you and your family for being beside Harry and supporting him so he could help us and work for all Aboriginal people.

My thoughts are with you all.
Don Morin

Harry visited with our family in our home many times and even met
our grandchildren who came to respect him.

I had the oppertunity to travel with Harry and a group many years
ago and will never forget one special morning in Hawaii. Jim wanted
to talk to Harry in private so the two of them went for a long walk along
the beach early in the morning, Harry in his shorts and big black hat.
When along came a seagull that thought it was time to let go. When the two men arrived back at the hotel Harry said to the rest of the group, I got
pooped on not only from Jim but also from the seagull. "Got it with both
barrels".

Harry the creator has taken your body but you will live on in our hearts
and minds forever. Where he has taken you, you will meet up with lots
of your old friends.

On behalf of my family and myself, God Speed.
Sharleen Bourque

I was shocked to learn of the passing to the Spirit World of Harry Daniels. Harry will be missed. His quick wit, sense of humour and dogged determination are qualities which I have long admired. I got to meet Harry when I was the editor of a newspaper called “The Indian Voice” and Harry was very gracious and generous with his time. I also relay prayers and thoughts from Kitty Bell Sparrow. May the Creator walk with all of you on your life’s journey. Harry probably has the Creator laughing up there.

Donna Doss
Vancouver, BC

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. What a proud and remarkable man Harry was, as Métis people we should all be so proud of the milestones that have been accomplished with the help and dedication that Harry contributed.

All my relations
Lynda Gaisson
Métis Family Services
Surrey, BC

I¹ve known Harry Daniels since I was a child. He always had a sparkle in his eye, mischievous, but kind. He always seemed larger than life. On the few occasions that I saw him as I grew to be an adult, I realized he still had
that sparkle, still kind, and still larger than life. Some things never
change. And that¹s a good thing.

Suzanne Clare Belcourt
Picton, Ontario

The BC Métis Nation mourns the passing of Mr. Harry Daniels.

Harry Daniels is recognized by his great contributions to our Métis Nation. Mr. Daniels displayed a pivotal role in having the Constitution Act, 1982 of Canada recognize rights of Aboriginal people as distinguished people and that Métis were also a distinguished people from Indian, and Inuit.

Mr. Daniels dedicated his career in respecting and recognizing the rights of Aboriginal Peoples and fought tirelessly for this justice.

The Métis Nation has lost a good friend, mentor, and advocate Mr. Daniels is remembered to his friends as charismatic and hilariously funny with an enormous heart. Some of Harry's other talents and interests were dedicated to teaching and advocating for children in need.

The Métis Provincial Council honors Mr. Daniels for a life time of achievement and dedication of one man holding steadfast to his belief in making a difference for his people and indigenous people alike ... and he did just that.

On behalf of the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia Board of Directors and Staff, God's speed Harry your Nation will miss you.

I was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Harry Daniels. In the short history of the movement for Métis equality, Harry was an exceptional leader. As a member of the media, I always found Harry to be cheerful, honest and straightforward. All Canadians are in his debt.

Sincerely
Mike Duffy
CTV News

We mourn our departed brother.

He will be remembered for many things: for those whodid not know him, his great contributions to Canada, to the cause of Aboriginal peoples, and to his people, the Métis.

Those who knew Harry will remember his unsurpassed 'joie de vivre',
his sartorial elegance, his great depth of knowledge, his fondness for a good turn of phrase. An unsurpassed raconteur, he was an actor, a teacher, and a linguist.

To his friends, he was humble, kind, generous, and also gregarious, lively, and at times hilariously funny.

Harry Daniels will share with Louis Riel the honour of having introduced the rights of the Métis people in the Constitution of Canada: Riel in s.31 of the Manitoba Act, 1870, and Harry in s.35 of the Constitution Act 1982.

I salute you, my brother, li grand chef di Michif, li Rouay Rouge. You will be missed.

PAUL L.A.H. CHARTRAND
Tuesday, September 7, 2004, 8:30am
College of Law, University of Saskatchewan

The Métis people of Canada lost a good friend and advocate with the passing of Harry Daniels. Harry passed away after a battle with cancer, on September 06, 2004. If not for Harry Daniels the Métis of Canada would not have been included in the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982. Harry was a fighter for justice and equality for all but especially for his people the Métis. He was well known as a performer, lecturer and political activist and he traveled the world championing the cause of the poor and the needy. Harry was special and unique in so many ways and we all owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and his dedication to the cause of justice for the Métis and indigenous people of the world.

So long Harry, we'll miss you.

On behalf of the Métis Matters Foundation, we salute you.

A memorial service and celebration of the life of Harry W. Daniels will be held at Regina Beach on September 16, the date which would have been his 64th birthday.

My heart and prayers are with Harry's kids, family, Maria, Murray, Paul and closest friends. I have not known a life without Harry Daniels. As far back as I can remember, Harry was a part of our lives. One of my earliest memories is of Harry and my dad in a heated discussion about Métis politics in our living room on Hobart Crescent in Ottawa. Of course, there were a lot of those in those days. As he put it, I was just a "snot nosed kid" back then. I can't tell you how much I respect him. The encouragement he has given me I will treasure for the rest of my life. A brother to my dad and an uncle to me.

Christi Belcourt

It is hard to find the words to express over the loss of someone who was
so much larger than life itself.

I can remember only very few occasions in the over 25 years I knew him
in which Harry entered a room quietly - and even then the electric
energy he generated was such that everyone could still feel his
presence. It was as if his trademark black Maverick riverboat gambler
hat hid a magnet inside that forced everyone to turn his way. He was a
consummate performer who loved nothing more than to regale a packed
room, or an audience of one, with jokes, insightful stories, messages of
hope and passionate calls for justice for all people - but especially
for the Métis as well as Non-Status Indians. He fought for so much of
his life with such amazing strength, talent & style to ensure that the
Forgotten People would never be forgotten again.

As the one person who truly was most instrumental in getting official
recognition for the Métis in Canada's Constitution - with his broom
closet last minute never give up negotiations with Jean Chretien in
January of 1981 - he became a Father of Confederation in his own
inimical way.

I treasure my many memories of working with him - 1st through the loose
coalition of the willing on constitutional reform in 1980-82, then at
NCC/CAP, later through the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba and
OMAA - but even more I recall fondly the friendship, laughter, elegance,
roughness and never ever ever ending determination to fight on with
every skill and bit of strength he possessed. What a remarkable,
marvelous and unforgettable friend indeed.

Brad Morse
Faculty of Law
University of Ottawa

The world will not be the same without Harry Daniels in it.

Lorraine Gisborn

On behalf of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, APTN, we offer
our sincere condolences in the loss of a great leader, Harry Daniels.
We acknowledge and respect his commitment to the Métis Nation and all
the work he did to bring awareness to the world about the Métis of
Canada.

All My Relations,
Catherine Anne Martin
Chairperson/ APTN

My family and I met Harry more than 30 years ago. Tony and I and our children had moved to Ottawa when Tony first became President of the Native Council of Canada. We had the privilege of meeting Harry shortly after we arrived and it remained a lifelong friendship. Harry was the embodiment of so many wonderful qualities – he was charismatic and joyful, loyal to his friends, devoted to his loved ones, and faithful to the cause of the Métis. Bless you Harry. My sincerest and deepest sympathy is extended to all who knew and loved him.

Judith Pierce Martin
Picton, Ontario