(Lheidli T’enneh Territory, Prince George, BC – October 14, 2021) – BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) Regional Chief Terry Teegee’s statement on the passing of Wet’suwet’en matriarch and Hereditary Chief Nagwaohn (Sophie Evelyn Ogen):
I am deeply saddened by the recent passing of Sophie Evelyn Ogen on Saturday October 9th and I send thoughts and prayers to her family, clan and to the Wet’suwet’en community. We have lost a strong and beautiful leader who was completely dedicated to her people and the territory on which she lived and cared for.
Sophie was a mentor for me as a prominent leader here in the north. She blazed trails as one of the first female Board of Directors on the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council where she served for many years. Throughout her life she fought for First Nations rights, and especially Wet’suwet’en rights. She courageously spoke against injustice and made sure her voice, and her people’s voices, were heard far and wide.
A memorial service will be held via Zoom on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at 6:00 PM. A funeral service (by invite only due to the COVID-19 pandemic) will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 12:00 PM. A Zoom link will also be made available.