Kukwpi7 Mike Leach remembered as an inspirational leader

Mike Leach in a familiar conversational mode. Photo: Jae W. Han

Longtime chief passes away at age 74

Article by Wendy Fraser, courtesy of Bridge River-Lillooet News

Smudges were lit and prayers were said as word spread through the T’ít’q’et Community, the St’át’imc Nation and the Lillooet area about the passing of Kukwpi7 Mike Leach. Although he left us earlier in March, his loss continues to be deeply felt by many.

The longtime T’ít’q’et chief and St’át’imc leader died on Mar. 3 at the age of 74. His family said he passed away peacefully with his wife Gail, his children and brothers and sisters by his side.

“The St’át’imc Chiefs Council offers our deepest condolences to the Leach family and the community of T’ít’q’et and the people for the loss of Kukwpi7 Mike Leach, a prominent leader and former Chief,” St’at’imc Chiefs Council Chair and Ts’kw’aylaxw Chief Justin Kane said in a statement to the Lillooet News. “Kukwpi7 Mike Leach led with unwavering dedication, vision and passion for the protection of Aboriginal Title and Rights.”

T’ít’q’et Community Chief Sid Scotchman described Kukwpi7 Mike Leach’s death as a “terrible loss for our community, for people in the St’át’imc Territory and for people across Canada.”

Chief Kane added, “As Chief for many years, he guided with wisdom, and as the St’át’imc Chiefs Council Chair, he helped shape the future of our government with commitment and strength. He was instrumental in the creation of the Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police and the founding of the Peacekeepers, initiatives that have had a lasting impact on our Nation.”

The Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Service was established in 1992 and is the only aboriginal police force in British Columbia.

Chief Scotchman noted that the police service began as a security force and is today an example of the kind of collaboration and co-operation that is possible when the Tribal Police and RCMP work together.

“It’s great to see officers from both services out for coffee together. That’s what he wanted to see happen and it has happened.”

Chief Kane noted that Kukwpi7 Leach also advocated for Aboriginal Title and Rights at the United Nations level, and his political career saw him serve locally as Chair of the Lillooet Tribal Council.

Chief Kane described Kukwpi7 Leach as a key negotiator for St’át’imc at the Government-to-Government table with the Province of B.C., and in the St’át’imc–BC Hydro negotiations.

“He was tireless in his efforts to protect St’át’imc Title and Rights, along with our lands and resources,” added Chief Kane.

Seventy-two per cent of St’at’imc voters approved the BC Hydro agreement in April 2011. It proved to be a major turning point for St’at’imc communities, who received a transfer of $210 million from Hydro and the province in a trust fund for economic development and other priorities.

Kukwpi7 Leach was chair of the St’át’imc Chiefs Council when the agreement was signed.

He said on that day, “Today is a good day for our people and marks the beginning of a more prosperous future for our Nation. This agreement is a small measure of justice that our ancestors were seeking when they signed the declaration of 1911. We have a lot of work ahead, but today is a good day.”

The landmark agreement was officially signed on May 10, 2011. The date was significant because it was the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe, a statement that declared the ownership of the St’át’imc people over their traditional territory.

Signing the Hydro agreement led to the creation of the St’at’imc Chiefs Council.

“In order to manage this agreement we will have to put into place a St’át’imc government,” Leach told the Vancouver Sun at that time. “Once we’ve agreed on a format for that government, which we’re working on now just to be able to manage this agreement, there will be an election for a chair once that is done.”

Chief Kane said Kukwpi7 Leach was also a staunch advocate for the protection of the Fraser River’s wild salmon and the St’át’imc way of life.

“His influence has shaped not only the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe, but the larger fight of our unceded title. His legacy will forever inspire us to strive for excellence, integrity and unity,” he said. “While Kukwpi7 Mike Leach may no longer be with us, his influence remains a guiding light in the work we continue to do, and his memory will live on in all that we accomplish together.”

Chief Scotchman said Kukwpi7 Leach was also the driving force behind a series of Halaw forestry agreements which focused on the principles of community consultation in all phases of forest management. The agreements were designed to ensure community values were incorporated into the sustainable management of the forests, water, wildlife and the environment in general.

“Community consultation is our number one focus, before any harvesting can begin,” Leach said in 2016.

Another aspect of his legacy involves the Lillooet REC Centre. Kukwpi7 Leach proudly related that the “REC” in REC Centre came from his suggestion that the letters should represent the words Recreation, Education and Culture.

He also influenced the naming of the P’egp’iglha Community Centre, Chief Scotchman recalled.

“There was some debate over the name and some people wanted to keep the Julianne Hall name, but he said no. He said it should have the P’egp’iglha name because that includes everyone and that is the name of our frog clan. T’it’q’et is the name of the reserve, not the clan.”

A talented musician and singer-songwriter, Mike Leach released several CDs. He loved playing the blues, but also incorporated eclectic touches – including Inuit throat singers and a droning Australian didgeridoo – into his recordings. He sang of early teenage travels to California, the tragic legacy of residential schools in songs such as “Long Black Robe,” the significance of Turtle Island and his personal spiritual quest.

His friend and musical collaborator Jae Han told the News, “Out of so many memories, I remember the time we recorded his album in the studio in Kamloops. I was a novice player for Latin drums, and he told me, ‘You can do this for my album,’ which made me feel comfortable while finishing the recording. I think he was a patient person with a big heart to play with.”

Han also recalled, “When he said he could no longer play the guitar due to finger movement problems many years ago, my heart broke. He is one of the legendary singer-songwriters of First Nation stories. His songs California Sun and Long Black Robe will always hold a special place in my heart, amongst so many other songs.”

Mike Leach will also be remembered as a mentor and teacher to many.

Chief Scotchman described him as an inspirational leader and remembered the advice he received from Kukwpi7 Leach when Scotchman was struggling with a decision about whether or not he should run for chief.

“He supported and encouraged me. I didn’t know if I was ready to take on that responsibility, but he told me, ‘If the elders tell you you’re ready, you’re ready.’”

Mike Leach was the son of Chief Paul Leach and his wife Julianne née Narcisse, for whom the Julianne Hall was later named. The hall served for decades as the hub of the T’it’q’et Community before the P’egp’iglha Centre opened.

The service for Kukwpi7 Mike Leach was held Saturday, Mar. 8 at the P’egp’iglha Community Centre. After the service, he was taken to his home on Highway 12 and his resting place there.