Moose Cree FN: Marguerite Wabano Passes at 111 Years Old

Press Release

MOOSE CREE FIRST NATION MOURNS THE PASSING OF MARGUERITE WABANO

Marguerite Wabano, the oldest known residential school survivor, passed away on November 13, 2015 in Moose Factory at the age of 111 years old. Marguerite, known affectionately by many as Granny Wabano, was born on the Ekwan River, north of what would become the Attawapiskat First Nation.

Granny Wabano was the oldest known residential school survivor and she was invited to the House of Commons in Ottawa in 2008 to hear former Prime Minister Stephen Harper offer a formal apology to all residential school survivors on behalf of the Canadian Government.

Marguerite witnessed much in her long life. She was one year old when Treaty 9 was signed in 1905, lived through the Great Depression of the 1930’s and both World War I and II.

“The Moose Cree First Nation mourns the passing of Marguerite Wabano and we offer our sincere condolences to her family and all of her loved one’s,” stated Chief Norm Hardisty. “Granny Wabano was well-known and widely loved in both Moose Factory and Moosonee and will be dearly missed.”

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