Jimmy Hunter is an Algonquin Anishinabe elder, leader, storyteller, and spokesperson. He has devoted much of his life to serving his community and supporting anicinabe youth people. His values and choices are deeply rooted in his family, but they also extend far beyond that.
His leadership career began when he first became chief of Winneway (Long Point) at the age of 22. He went on to serve as chief for a total of ten years across several terms. He served as Vice Grand Chief of the Algonquin Council of Western Quebec (now Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council), en 1990.
“I don’t like to call it politics. I call it leadership. I always try to tell that to the chiefs: even though you meet a lot of political people, politicians are in Ottawa, on Parliament Hill and they don’t care about anything. Leadership is people who have followers, and you can become a leader and have people following you.”
Much of Jimmy’s energy goes toward helping young people, work grounded entirely in his own experience. He has given many conferences and workshops on suicide. He sat on the board of directors of the Wanaki Center in Kitigan Zibi, an addictions prevention center, for many years. Though he has no training in intervention, he speaks openly to youth about healing, trauma, and suicide, drawing on his own life and experience. He believes that having been a chief does not exempt him from speaking about his own difficult experiences and feelings, and that everyone, whatever their position, should be able to talk openly.
“I now help the young people. Even my grandchildren. When they are down, I talk to them.”
As a storyteller, Jimmy shares with the younger generation what life was like when he was himself young. How children played and lived before modern technologies. He visits schools to speak with students across different age groups, and he would like to do more of this work. He has also appeared on television several times, acting as a spokesperson and storyteller, such as in Richard Desjardins’ documentary The Invisible Nation.
Jimmy was also part of a band in which he was the lead singer. He plays country and rock ‘n’ roll. A CD was released during that time, in 2004: Gospel Side of the Grand Chief Jimmy Hunter.
Several years ago, Jimmy had a near-death experience following a serious illness. This experience strengthened his determination to connect with young people and share what he can with them. He has contributed to Nipakanatik by digitizing several old photographs, including images of his grandparents and great-grandparents, as well as photos from when he and others were young. He is also a member of the Mitonentcikan Circle, a committee that ensures the archives in Nipakanatik are used in a manner that respects the truth and the Anicinabe communities. He is delighted by the opportunity to preserve his stories and photos for future generations.
“I need now to create something to leave behind, not only to my great grandchildren or my grandchildren, but the Algonquin Anishinabe people, the young people.”
Those who know Jimmy Hunter speak of his unwavering faith in Anicinabe youth and his deep desire to be present for them, in their struggles as much as in their successes.
