Premier Caroline Cochrane issued the following statement on the passing of former Commissioner Daniel Marion:
“I was sad to hear about the passing of Daniel Marion, former Commissioner to the Northwest Territories. Mr. Marion dedicated his life to improving the lives of residents in the Northwest Territories, supporting economic growth, and giving his time to make the communities he lived in a better place for everyone.
“Born on December 6, 1945, in St. Malo, Manitoba, Mr. Marion dedicated his life to the North. Graduating from St. Joseph’s College in 1963, Mr. Marion went on to have a successful 24-year career with the Hudson’s Bay Company in Northern Ontario, Fort Norman (Tulita), and Rae-Edzo (Behchokǫ̀).
“Following his term with the Hudson's Bay Company, he joined the Rae-Edzo Development Company as general manager in 1980. Later, Marion became Chief executive director of the Dogrib Power Corporation, and, as of 1993, became president.
“He gave a lot of his life to the public service. His political career includes becoming a member of the Fort Norman Town Council and President of the town's community centre. He was a councillor on Rae-Edzo's Hamlet Council, served three terms on the school board and beginning in 1992 was elected mayor of Rae-Edzo for three consecutive terms.
“On July 19, 1995, he became the Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories; he remained Deputy Commissioner until his transition to Commissioner on March 26, 1999, a role he held until his duties ended on March 31, 2000.
“For years he spoke in support of Indigenous rights and the importance of Indigenous communities seeing the benefits of resource development. In 1996, as Mayor of Rae-Edzo, he spoke at a public hearing as part of the Federal Environmental Assessment Panel Review of then-BHP Diamonds Inc. project, advocating for jobs for the people in his community, and ensuring economic benefits were provided to the Indigenous governments and communities impacted by the mine
“He served on the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities, the Northwest Territories Development Corporation, and on the GNWT Land Territorial boards delivering housing, recreation and health services.
“Mr. Marion leaves behind a legacy that has had ripple effects on the Northwest Territories. He will be missed.”