After the announcement of his retirement from Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council (AANTC), the council paid tribute to the outgoing Grand Chief during its assembly on August 30-31.

According to the AANTC, Lucien Wabanonik devoted a great deal of energy and effort to the causes and the interests of the Algonquin Nation, and the Chiefs and elected representatives of the council acknowledged his contribution to the recognition of the Algonquin people.

Wabanonik was most noted for the delegation he led on behalf of the AANTC communities to Ottawa in April 2010 for the deposition of the Nitakinan declaration and the presentation of the map of the Algonquin ancestral territory.

Vice Grand Chief Marlene Jerome will serve as acting Grand Chief to complete Wabanonik’s term, which finishes in 2012.