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Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
October 16, 2007 

Minister Pays Tribute to First President of Labrador Inuit Association

The Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, today expressed his condolences on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, to the family and friends of Sam Andersen, the first president of the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA).  He passed away on October 14 at the age of 70.

�Sam�s involvement in the LIA helped to cement the association's strength as a voice for Labrador Inuit at regional, national and international levels.  He helped form the LIA and was the first president in 1973 and 1974.  He led the organization again in 1994 and 1995,� said Minister Rideout.  �He also tirelessly devoted his time to other organizations.  He served as member of the board of directors for the OkalaKatiget Radio Society for many years and was involved with the Torngat Regional Housing Association.�

Mr. Andersen was a skilled hunter until a snowmobile crash crippled him the 1970s.  He continued, on recovery, to work with the LIA as an interpreter and translator of Inuktitut.  He translated at many high level national and international conferences and did so with amazing speed and accuracy.  He also mastered many Inuit dialects from Alaska to Greenland, including the seven in Canada.

�Sam was nationally recognized as a superior interpreter and translator.  He was known as the most outstanding simultaneous translator for LIA for many years.  Even after his retirement, he was contacted by other translators when faced with difficult interpretations of the language,� said the minister. �He was often creative and innovative in his translation work.�

�People who knew him say Sam was more than just a politician; he was passionate about the preserving culture by working with youth and elders. He worked tirelessly to keep the Inuit language alive.  His contribution was nothing less than exceptional.  In Sam�s passing, the Labrador Inuit and Aboriginal communities of the province have lost a great leader,� said Minister Rideout.  �The thoughts and prayers of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are with Sam�s family, friends and the Labrador Inuit at this difficult time.�

Mr. Andersen is survived by his wife Mary, five children and 14 grandchildren.

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Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-3733, 690-8304
oatesll@gov.nl.ca

2007 10 16                                                        4:55 p.m.


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