(Northwest Territories, April 11th, 2025): The following statement is being released jointly by Brian Willows, Public Administrator for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA), and Dan Florizone, Public Administrator for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA):

“This week, the North lost a prominent community member, leader, advocate and change agent. Mr. Ted Blondin was known across the territory and the stories and memories that have been shared online about the impacts he has had on the people who knew him and organizations he impacted are evidence of the legacy Mr. Blondin has left.
Mr. Blondin was a respected Elder from the Tłįchǫ Region who among many other contributions, played a pivotal role in the health and social services system, not just the Tłįchǫ Region, but across the Northwest Territories.

He was the Chairperson of the Tłįchǫ Community Services Agency (TSCA) Board of Directors, and in that capacity served as a member of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Leadership Council – a role he held since the NTHSSA’s establishment in 2016. Over the years, Mr. Blondin’s commitment to the Leadership Council and efforts to ensure regional voices were represented to support improvements to the health and social services across the territory, never wavered. He worked closely with Council members and staff within the NTHSSA and HRHSSA to share ideas and gain information and was always vocal about the importance of partnership and collaboration.

The structure of the health authorities across the North is unique, and the commitment for not just staff, but governing bodies – which include the Public Administrator of NTHSSA and HRHSSA and the Chairperson from the TSCA - to work together to achieve joint success, is critical. Mr. Blondin made the relationships and work enjoyable and contributed greatly to the efforts of the authorities and many of the successes across the health and social services system. On behalf of the NTHSSA and HRHSSA, we offer our deepest condolences to the TCSA and family and friends of the late Mr. Blondin. We are grieving with you and will continue to remember and respect the legacy of our dear friend and colleague.”