Surrey, BC – BC Métis Federation leadership is sad to advise and inform members and partners that one of our board members Mr. Ken Fisher passed away suddenly and unexpectedly this weekend. Ken was a very active Métis leader having served many terms as President for the Nova Métis Heritage Association as well as elected to the BC Métis Federation in 2016 and was the founding members of the BC Métis Federation.
Ken was first chosen as President of Louis Riel Métis Association in 1984 and held that position till 1993. Ken was involved with organizing Métis in greater Vancouver. He was directly involved and incorporated and worked with Métis local societies such as the Louis Riel Métis Association, Vancouver Métis Association founding member (1995 VMA), support for North Fraser Métis Association, and served as chair of the Regional Métis Management Steering Committee.
Ken supported the United Heritage Métis Association which formed in the 1990s as Manager and Councilor until this organization ceased operations in 2002 in Surrey. In 2003 Ken was instrumental in establishing the Nova Métis Heritage Association in Surrey as the founding President Nova Métis Heritage Association (Nova). Ken and he wife established an office in Surrey from 2003 to 2016. Today Nova has over two thousand (2000) registered members.
In addition to supporting Métis community organization Ken producer and hosted the “Métis Matters” radio show on CFRO 100.5 FM for more than 20 years. Ken served various other roles such as four (4) years as Elder on Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Strategy (MVUAS) Steering Committee. Most recently Ken was appointed to the City of Surrey’s “Diversity Committee”.
Ken was awarded the “Order of the Sash” in 2006 for his decades of service to the Métis in BC. He was also the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 as a Navy Veteran and Community Volunteer.
Ken was a proud Métis born in Lebret, Saskatchewan where he attached school there as well as Regina and Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
Ken was a qualified as a licensed TV Tech and Appliance Repairman. Via Western Radio/Electronic TV School Saskatoon. Opened business and later sold out to a partner & moved on to Toronto & London.
One of Ken’s passions was photography. Ken took photography courses via Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary. Ken operated a photography studio for years in Surrey. Ken was a self-employed business man as he worked as photographer and operated Fisher Photo Studio in Surrey for years. Ken held media press credentials as a sports and news photographer for many years in Calgary, Surrey and Metro Vancouver with BC Lions and Vancouver Canucks.
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “This weekend we lost a tremendous friend and proud Métis supporter. His commitments to the Métis community for decades are significant. He dedicated years of sacrifice and service as a community leader and worked hard to be a provincial leader. The void by his passing will be impossible to fill. For many of us Ken passing seems surreal as we will never be able to hear his opinions and voice each week on the Métis Matters Radio Show or attend community meetings in Surrey to listen to his passion.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry added, “Ken’s contributions will never be forgotten. He was tough and straight forward. You always knew where you stood and he was strong in his convictions. But once you got past this tough demeanor, there was a kind man. A man who would always assist is he could. The fact was Ken was a person who demanded social justice for the Métis and all he wanted was respect. Ken himself faced many difficult personal issues growing up in Saskatchewan and in spite of his situation he remained proud to be Métis and proud to fight for our Métis recognition in BC and Canada.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry added; “Our board will deeply grieve this loss and this comes shortly after the tragic loss of his loving wife Joyce only months ago. In many ways we saw that the loss of Ken’s wife was simply too much for our dear friend.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “today lets all remember Ken for the stories of events and statements he made over the years. So many great memories and we all know this is a great loss. Ken, you will be forever remembered as our friend and family. Thank you for all you did for our people. We will see you again one day my friend. Words cannot express the deep sense of I loss I feel at this moment. But I know you would want us to carry on.”
BC Métis Federation is working with the family to arrange celebration of life in January. Watch for details.
Media Inquiries
Keith Henry, President
BC Métis Federation
#300-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
Office: 1-604-638-7220
Cell: 1-778-388-5013
Email: k.henry@bcmetis.com
You can now follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on Twitter @keithhenryMetis
[ilink url=”http://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-December-10th-2017-Ken-Fisher.pdf” style=”download”]Click here to download the press release in PDF format.[/ilink]
