The Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Executive are extending sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Elder Tom Charles who died of cancer on Tuesday.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, says his spiritual gifts helped him through 293 search and rescue efforts, of which only 15 went unsolved. She says, “Tracker Tom would drop everything he was doing when called upon for any search, in any condition, in any part of the province, whether he knew the person or not.”

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron adds that his spiritual gifts and knowledge of the lands and waters are well-known across their traditional territories, and even in his last months, battling cancer, he was still participating in searches in his community.