Tim O’Loan says he always wanted to be like his uncle Arthur Ted Blondin when he grew up.
“I became a negotiator because of my uncle Ted, so I was a negotiator with the Government of the Northwest Territories,” he said.
“He had a huge impact on me. He was like a father to me.”
Blondin, a respected Elder from the NWT’s Tłı̨chǫ region, passed away on Friday at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife surrounded by friends and family. He was 72.
“His impact on the North professionally was immense. You’re not going to find a leader without a story about Ted,” O’Loan said.
Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty said Blondin was an inspirational leader who will be remembered for his guidance and work to further the rights of Indigenous people in the North.
“Ted led a life of years and years of service and advocacy for Tłı̨chǫ people and people of the North, and for the protection of Tłı̨chǫ land,” he said.
Professional legacy
Photos of Blondin in the NWT Archives show him speaking at the Berger Inquiry, competing in volleyball and snowshoeing at the Arctic Winter Games, shooting pool at the Rae Cafe, working in the Native Press office, and attending the general assembly of the Native Communications Society and meetings of the Indian Brotherhood of the NWT.
O’Loan also shared photos of Blondin with three sitting prime ministers: Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin.
Blondin was the co-founder and editor of the Native Press, a former Indigenous newspaper in the NWT, where he championed Indigenous voices. The paper was founded in 1971 and published until the 1990s.
Blondin was also the chief negotiator of the Dene/Métis land claim. While a final agreement was initialled by negotiators, it was ultimately not ratified – but it became a template for regional negotiations in the NWT.
Blondin went on to work on the negotiation team for the Tłı̨chǫ Land Claim and Self-Government Agreement as the land claims manager alongside chief negotiator John B Zoe, Eddie Erasmus and James Wahshie. The agreement was signed on August 25, 2003.
Blondin then served as chair and as a board member of the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency. He was also president of the Behchokò˛ Development Corporation and served as a member of the Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation’s board of directors.
“He has changed a lot of things in our region, for the North, for the betterment of our communities and also the people,” Lafferty said.
Blondin’s work has been recognized with a Tłı̨chǫ Government award, he has been inducted into the NWT Education Hall of Fame, and he was most recently awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
‘Full of stories, teasing and laughter’
Beyond his professional achievements, O’Loan said Blondin was “a kind, loving person that enjoyed life,” lived the Dene laws and had a positive impact on many people.
“He was just full of stories, teasing and laughter,” he said.
O’Loan described Blondin’s home in Behchokǫ̀ as a welcoming environment where the door was always open and there was always food.
“He lived a good life and I still feel like he’s what I want to be like when I grow up,” he said.
“He was a survivor of residential school but he didn’t let that stop him.”
Lafferty said he will remember Blondin’s kindness, humility, gentle nature and strong sense of humour.
“He had the gift of sharing stories, made people laugh. He always told stories and shared life lessons with everyone he met along the way during his travel,” he said.
“He touched a lot of people with his heart.”
Lafferty said Blondin also talked about the importance of family values and the love he had for his family.
“His legacy and also his vision will continue to live on through his children, his grandchildren as well as so many who had the pleasure to simply be in his presence,” he said.
Blondin leaves behind his wife Violet Camsell-Blondin, their two children, grandchildren, and many other loved ones.
An ‘enduring legacy’
Premier RJ Simpson issued a statement on Tuesday expressing his condolences to Blondin’s loved ones and praising his “enduring legacy.”
“Ted Blondin was a remarkable leader whose vision and commitment helped shape the future of the Tłı̨chǫ Region and the Northwest Territories,” Simpson wrote, highlighting Blondin’s “tireless efforts to advance education, health, social well-being and self-governance.”
“Ted’s wisdom, humility, and passion for his people will be deeply missed.”
In a statement posted to Facebook, education minister Caitlin Cleveland said Blondin worked to advance education in the NWT.
“We are grateful for his dedication and many years of service. His commitment to education will never be forgotten,” she wrote.
A wake will take place at St Michael’s Church in Behchokǫ̀ on Friday at 5:30pm. A funeral mass is scheduled for the church on Saturday at 10:30am.
Blondin will then be transported to Yellowknife for burial at the Lakeview Cemetery at 3pm followed by a reception at the DND gym in the city’s multiplex at 5pm.
Messages of condolence, memories, stories and photos of Blondin can be shared on the McKenna Funeral Home’s website.
Correction: April 10, 2025 – 9:35 MT. This story initially stated Ted Blondin was 73. In fact, he was 72 and had passed away on April 4, not April 5. Following publication of this article, Cabin Radio was advised that the reception had been relocated to the DND gym
