The Okanagan Indian Band has been rocked by the deaths of two respected members.
Homer Alexis, a current band councillor, died Thursday, while Len Marchand, a former MP and senator, died Friday.
“They were our political leaders,” said Chief Byron Louis.
Alexis, 53, had been on council since 2005.
“He was always at events. He was very community oriented,” said Louis, adding that a priority for Alexis was his family.
As a long-time councillor, he brought a lot of experience to discussions.
“He always contributed at the table. He was constant and steady,” said Louis.
Louis and Alexis had just talked three days ago about running again in the April 2017 election.
“He was a dear and close friend and I will really miss him,” said Louis.
It’s likely Alexis’ council position will be left vacant until the election.
On Friday, Marchand died at age 82 in Kamloops.
“He served as an example of how far you can go,” said Louis.
In 1968, Marchand ran for the Liberals in Kamloops and he was the first status Indian elected to Parliament.
As part of the Trudeau government, he served as a parliamentary secretary and minister of state for small business and minister of state for the environment.
In 1984, he was appointed to the Senate and he held that position until retirement in 1998.
Louis says Marchand was always willing to help the band.
“He had quite strength. He was never boastful. He was a very honourable person.”
He played a key role in the development of the Round Lake Treatment Centre.
Marchand was born in Vernon Nov. 16, 1933, and his bond to the Okanagan reserve remained strong over the years.
“Six Mile Creek is my home. It’s where I was born and I will always be an Okanagan,” he said during a 1999 interview.
Marchand was the first native to graduate from Vernon High School in 1955 and he went on to earn degrees in agriculture and forestry.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he became active in the North American Indian Brotherhood.