In Memory of Glenn Auger - Indigenous Advisor for the Wetlands Workforce
This tribute was originally published on the Wetlands Workforce, News and Updates, Wetland Stewards on 7th December 2021.
We are saddened to inform you that Glenn Auger, Indigenous Advisor for the Wetlands Workforce, passed away the morning of December 1st, 2021. In the last few months, he was supported by palliative care at home surrounded by his loved ones.
Glenn was a beloved husband, involved father, and loving grandfather. As an elder, he provided a voice and support to many in his community. Glenn was a Cree member from Tallcree First Nations in Northern Alberta and was a signatory to Treaty 8. Glenn had a diverse background of skills and experience, having worked in the sawmill industry and the oil and gas industry for much of his career. In these fields he held varying positions as a First Nations Liaison, which gave him much joy in his work. Over the past year, Glenn served as a role model to many working on the Wetlands Workforce project.
Photo Credit: Wetlands Workforce Illustrator Chenoa Goa Muskeg Lake Cree Member
With honesty and humility, he guided the team on a journey that helped them strive to have meaningful relationships and dialogues with indigenous people and communities. Education and training were a huge passion for Glenn. In an interview conducted earlier this year, he said, “I have always had a passion for education and training. I think it is so important for our youth, our children and even our elders. You are never too late to start learning. You can still go to school. You can still pursue your dreams. Live your dreams. Be proud of who you are, and do not be afraid to go after and challenge what you want to become. If you want to be courageous and adventurous, there are opportunities out there that can help you and support you.”
Glenn brought that passion to the Wetlands Workforce, serving as a role model to our partnering Northern Light College students who were starting their careers in environmental guardianship work. He was always patient and treated each relationship he had with our staff with care and solid guidance. He left a legacy that will be carried on by the teams he mentored.
In September, he confidently and clearly spoke on behalf of the Wetlands Workforce to the Select Standing Committee on the importance of investing in watersheds, and how the work we were all completing was so meaningful to him, not only for healing the land, but also for healing relationships among the people who live on this land. Even in his final month, he remained committed to the Workforce team and his passion for education by delivering the final session of indigenous training to the staff.
Glenn with Northern Lights College students. Photo Credit - BCWF Wetlands Workforce.
He believed in the work he was doing as part of the Wetland Workforce, and he always found the strength and the time to contribute his knowledge and experience to all those around him. Glenn did the work that he did, not for himself, but for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He once said, “We are only here for a short time on earth. During that time, we need to ensure that our children and our great-grandchildren have and can enjoy what we have been able to enjoy.”
Glenn had a kind soul, a boisterous laugh, and a knack for telling powerful stories. He will be deeply missed by all those he impacted this year through his work with the Wetlands Workforce.
You can watch Glenn's Wetland Dialogue, filmed this summer, Click here
If you would like to send flowers to Glenn’s family, you can order them through Flowers by Charene:
Address:
1405 102 Ave #5,
Dawson Creek, BC
V1G 2E1
Phone Number: (250) 782-303
You can have them sent to Valley Pure Water in Chetwynd, B.C. for pick-up.
