Tributes Pour in for Leeson
Nisga'a Lisims Government Chairperson Kevin McKay said it was impossible to describe the feeling of loss. And Secretary-Treasurer Edmond Wright says it's hard to imagine the Nisga'a could ever have achieved their treaty with the provincial and federal governments without Lesson. Wright said when the going got tough, Leeson had a way of making everyone laugh and bringing them all together as a team.
Helmut Giesbrecht, who was the NDP MLA for Skeena when the historic Nisga'a Final Agreement was signed in 1998, says Leeson was a very honest and dedicated man.
"He always struck me as a very gentle, very personable guy, a good person to know," said Giesbrecht, "and he always commanded the same kind of respect he gave everybody else."
Current MLA Robin Austin says Leeson was very well respected, and his death is a real loss for everyone.
Earlier, Premier Gordon Campbell called Leeson an extraordinary leader in BC who worked to help bridge social and economic gaps.
John Crawford -- Terrace; reported by Jeff Sargeant
