A respected leader in Nunatsiavut has died. William Barbour passed away at his home yesterday.

According to the Nunatsiavut government, Barbour was born in Nain in 1959, and grew up as a fisherman with his dad and elders.

Throughout his career, he spent many years working with the Labrador Inuit Association, and served as the president for nine years beginning in 1994.

During his time with the association, he was integral to the signing of the Labrador Inuit Lands Claim agreement, the Impacts and Benefits agreement with the Voisey’s Bay Nickel Company, and a project that proved the existence of denning bears in Northern Labrador.

Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe calls Barbour a passionate person who “put the rights of Labrador Inuit ahead of all things.”

He says Barbour left his mark on the history of the Labrador Inuit, and everyone who knew him.