Dr. Frank Calder

CALDER, Dr. Frank Arthur OC, OBC, LLD, AOC, D.D., L.TH. Died on the 4th day of November, 2006, in Victoria, at the age of 91 after a long and distinguished career. The Little Chief" is survived by his wife Tamaki Calder and his son Erick Arthur Mamoru Calder. Dr. Calder was born in 1915 in Nass Harbour, a former cannery located across from Kincolith at the mouth of the Nass River. His adoptive parents were Chief Arthur Na-Gua-On Calder and Louisa Leask. He attended residential school and worked as a tallyman for B.C. Packers in Prince Rupert. Dr. Calder achieved many firsts during his lifetime. He was the first status Indian to attend U.B.C., graduating with a theology degree in 1946. In 1949 he was elected to the British Columbia Legislature for the CCF, the first native to be elected to a Canadian Parliament. He represented the Atlin constituency in northwest B.C. for a total of 26 years for the CCF, the NDP and the Social Credit party. In 1972 he became the first native to be appointed to a cabinet in Canada. Dr. Calder was a tireless champion of equality for aboriginal peoples. He was a founder of the Nisga'a Tribal Council in 1955 and served as its President for 20 years and later as a consultant. He was named Chief of Chiefs" by the four Nisga'a clans. He is perhaps best known for the quest for a just settlement of the land question in the case Calder v. The Attorney General of B.C. The 1973 Supreme Court of Canada decision established for the first time that Aboriginal title exists in Canadian law and provided the legal foundation on which the Nisga'a Treaty was ultimately negotiated. Dr. Calder made an enormous contribution as a peaceful warrior, as Chief of Chiefs, to the noble purpose of creating a society made up of peoples who have chosen freely to live and work together in a new relationship based on trust, respect of the land and its creatures, justice, and the rule of law." Among his awards and honours are: inducted to Canada's First Nations Hall of Fame; President Emeritus, Nisga'a Tribal Council; Aboriginal Order of Canada; Officer, Order of Canada; Order of British Columbia; Doctor of Divinity; Doctor of Laws; Licentiate in Theology; National Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. The Calder family wish to thank the staff and volunteers of Saanich Peninsula Hospital Palliative Care Unit for their compassionate care of Dr. Calder. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, 2166 Mt. Newton X Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 2B2 or to the charity of the donor's choice. 314913