400 attend Nemaska, Que., funeral for Lawrence Jimiken

More than 400 mourners gathered in Nemaska, Que., last Thursday to say goodbye to a key personwho help reunite the James Bay Cree community after hydroelectric development in the 1970s left its residentsscattered.

Lawrence Jimiken, 65, died suddenly overnight on July 3in a hotel room in Val d'Or after complaining he wasn't feeling well. His co-workers found him unresponsive the next morning.

"It is very sad and hard for us in Nemaska and here at the Band Office," said Nemaska Chief Thomas Jolly, who describes Jimiken as a mentor and friend.

Jimiken held many jobs in the Cree Nation and Nemaska, including one term as chief of the community and several years as chief returning officer for the Cree Nation. He is remembered as someone who would do anything for the people of his community and never ask for anything in return.

In the 1970s the Cree people living on the shores of Lake Nemaskawere forced to scatter because of imminent hydroelectric development.

According to the Nemaska Band Council website, some of the people were sent to Waskaganish and others to Mistissini. After sevenyears in "exile" efforts were made to reunite the community in the late 1970s and early 1980s at the site of present day Nemaska, on the shores of Champion Lake.

Jimiken is remembered as someone who worked tirelessly to reunite his people.

"This man has done a lot," said Jolly.

"When the establishment of Nemaska took place, when the people decided to come home, he was the first person to do the work. This is the kind of man he was when it came to helping his own people. He was a very intelligent man."

Jolly says in recent years Jimiken was struggling with his health. He was diabetic and also had epilepsy.

Mourners came to his funeral from across the Cree territory. There were also representatives from Hydro-Quebec and several of the entities that Jimiken worked with over the years.

Jolly says things just aren't the same at the band office.

"I peek into his office or stand by the door for moment remembering him," said Jolly.

His family is gatheringhis belongings. In keepingwith Cree tradition, they will be kept for a year, then given away to family members and friends.