I am never certain how to approach the passing of a friend and colleague. Last night, November 26, 2021, I learned that Xavier Sagutch, also known as Mr. X, passed away in his homeland.
At the bottom of this note, I share some photos of Xavier composed over the years.
Xavier was a member of Eabametoong First Nation. I knew Mr. X as a community person, as an elected band Councillor, as a colleague, as a friend, as an excellent photographer, as someone with a keen eye for changes taking place on the land, and as a person who was passionate about repairing the damage to his homeland created by past industrial activities.
Some people work flamboyantly to achieve a result. Other people people work quietly, but persistently, to achieve a result. Xavier was in the quiet category. He was tenacious, but always respectful. He had a blunt and wicked sense of humour, when he chose to reveal it.
As I age, I begin to see more clearly how everyone I have met has influenced me, but more importantly, how they have changed the world around them for the good of the land and the people who live off it - despite the past.
To Eabametoong First Nation, the family, extended family, and friends of Xavier, it has been a really hard fall. I think of you daily. To Mr. X, you touched many people and left the world in a better state. You were placed on the land for a reason. And you fulfilled that reason.
Kiitchi miigwetch, Xavier.
Xavier Sagutch (Eabametoong First Nation) looking at a rock sample during one of the many community-based geology project meetings at a band information meeting. Photo by Andy Fyon, May 18, 2005.
Xavier Sagutch (Eabametoong First Nation) in his office, surrounded by posters of life on the land, as part of his documentation of “traditional ecological values” found in the homeland of Eabametoong First Nation. Photo by Andy Fyon, Oct. 19, 2010.
Xavier Sagutch (Eabametoong First Nation) pointing out the body of knowledge describing important “traditional ecological values” found in the homeland of Eabametoong First Nation. Photo by Andy Fyon, Dec. 19, 2012.
“Old School” is how Sid Okees described Xavier Sagutch (Eabametoong First Nation), shown here walking to the store in Fort Hope to buy gas. Xavier was headed out on his snow machine. He was laughing with me because I was wearing every stitch of clothing I had to ward off the -20C wind chill. I vividly recall Xavier laughing and saying “Andy2, it is still warm. I will wear my mitts and change into my winter jacket when the real winter arrives.” Funny, because every photo I have of Xavier, winter or summer, he wore that same jean jacket. It didn’t matter if it was -40C or +30C. Photo composed in Fort Hope, Nov 23, 2013.
Xavier Sagutch (Eabametoong First Nation) worked quietly, with perseverance, to raise our awareness of some industrial hazards that were a blemish on the land, created by historic industrial activities. We visited some of one of those hazards by helicopter at the start of a rehabilitation project. Others in the photo, from left to right, Lance Waboose, me (Andy Fyon), Xavier Sagutch, Gord Parker, and Colin Stringer. Old Rond Lake Mine area, July 29, 2015.
One of my favourite photos of Xavier Sagutch (Eabametoong First Nation), at the Rond Lake Mine site. This was one of Xavier’s urgent projects. The multi-jurisdictional team was together and on this day, an important site investigation took place to develop the rehabilitation plan. Mr. X was wearing a special look that day, which speaks volumes. Photo composed July 29, 2015.