JANUARY 17, 2015

MASHTEUIATSH SENATOR AURÉLIEN GILL DIED—ORDER OF CANADA RECIPIENT

Gill, born August 26, 1933, in Mashteuiatsh, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec (QC), earned a bachelor’s degree from Université Laval. Aurélien was a businessman, teacher, and government administrator before becoming QC Director-General, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Founding president of Conseil Attikamek-Montagnais and chief of the Mashteuiatsh Montagnais community (1975-82 & 1987-89), he helped establish the Montagnais Cultural Educational Institute, Amerindien Police Council, Confederation of Indians of QC, National Indian Brotherhood, and Provincial & National Aboriginal Advisory Council. Made a Knight of the National Order of QC in 1991, Gill, a Liberal, unsuccessfully ran for the House of Commons in 1993. He was appointed to the Senate in 1998. Standing Committees assignments: Aboriginal Peoples; Fisheries and Oceans; and Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.  He retired from the Senate on his 75th birthday. Gill died in Roberval, QC.

Sources:

“Gill, Hon. Aurélien, B.Pd. (Wellington),” Encyclopedia.com.  Retrieved 8/1/2022, Gill, Hon. Aurélien, B.Pd. (Wellington) | Encyclopedia.com	

“Aurélien Gill, Senator of Wellington,” Parti libéral du Canada (Québec).  Retrieved 8/1/2022, Parti libéral du Canada (Québec) (collectionscanada.gc.ca)

Photo:  Government of Canada (Parliament), 1988.  Permissive Use per Canadian Federal Government restrictions.