Former Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Henry Joseph Lewis (Onion Lake Cree Nation/Facebook)

By meadowlakeNOW staff

LOCAL LEGACY

Former Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Henry Lewis dies at 70

Dec 31, 2025 | 1:53 PM

Onion Lake Cree Nation is mourning the passing of former Chief and Okimaw Henry Joseph Lewis, a long-serving Indigenous leader whose advocacy for Treaty rights and community well-being left a lasting imprint on the community.

Lewis, 70, died on Christmas Day. In a statement, Onion Lake Cree Nation said he carried the responsibilities of leadership “with humility, strength, and a deep love for his Nation,” adding that he stood for “unity, respect and perseverance.”

In a May interview with meadowlakeNOW, Lewis spoke passionately about the importance of upholding Treaty 6 and urged provincial and federal governments to move beyond rhetoric and toward meaningful action.

He travelled to Ottawa to witness King Charles III deliver the federal Throne Speech and, while he welcomed the symbolic presence of the monarch, he criticized the speech for failing to meaningfully address Treaty obligations.

“There’s no mention of any Treaty right… no mention whatsoever,” Lewis said at the time. “It didn’t go far enough.”

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READ MORE: Throne speech ‘didn’t go far enough’ on Treaty rights, says Onion Lake chief

Onion Lake Cree Nation Coun. Ivan Harper, former Chief Henry Lewis and Coun. Timothy Chief stand outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (submitted/ Janice Makokis)

He also helped lead Onion Lake Cree Nation’s legal challenge against Alberta’s Sovereignty Act in 2025, arguing it threatened constitutionally protected Treaty 6 rights.

“These are Treaty lands. They are not yours to take and we’re prepared to go to court to defend our constitutionally protected rights under Treaty,” Lewis said. “We are here to defend the interests of our Treaty, our people and our lands.”

“Premier Smith’s Sovereignty Act, combined with many of the significant changes to other laws, sends a clear signal that her government is willing to manipulate laws, intimidate First Nations and control public opinion to push the separatist agenda,” he said.

READ MORE: Onion Lake Cree Nation presses ahead with legal challenge to Alberta’s Sovereignty Act

That wasn’t the first time he pushed back against provincial legislation.

In 2023, Lewis also guided Onion Lake Cree Nation’s legal challenge of Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan First Act, saying it threatened Treaty 6 rights. Furthermore, in 2022, the First Nation sued the Alberta government over its own sovereignty act, Bill 1.

With the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6 approaching in 2026, Lewis said the moment called for more than ceremony. He urged the federal government to commit to meaningful participation and funding for Treaty gatherings at Fort Pitt.

“Providing funding for the activities is very important to heritage in Canada,” he said. “Providing funding so that we can maybe put up buildings, permanent fixtures — which that site doesn’t have any permanent fixtures now.”

He also called for the governor general to attend Treaty-related events, saying visibility from the Crown’s representatives carries important symbolic and legal weight.

A wake was held Monday at the New Round Hall on Onion Lake Cree Nation, followed Wednesday by a funeral at the same location, where family, friends and community members gathered to honour his life.

“Rest in peace, Okimaw Henry Lewis,” the nation’s tribute said. “Your leadership, strength and love for our Nation will never be forgotten.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com