Hon. Gwen Boniface: Honourable senators, on August 14 we lost a great Canadian. The Honourable James Bartleman lived an extraordinary life, which began in my home region. He was born in Orillia and was a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

He spent his formative years in Port Carling, in the Muskoka Lakes region. His Honour benefited from the love and attention of his parents, who made sure their children were proud of their heritage and valued education.

A part-time job as a teenager cutting grass resulted in an unlikely friendship between him and a seasonal resident, who not only encouraged but subsidized his university education. That hand-up led him on an inspiring 35-year path of public service and advocacy.

James Bartleman’s impressive career began at Foreign Affairs, where he held diplomatic posts in the EU, NATO, Israel and Cuba. He also served as High Commissioner to South Africa and Australia and made history when he was named Ontario’s first Indigenous Lieutenant Governor.

As viceroy, he used the platform to champion Indigenous child literacy. I had the privilege to participate in one of his initiatives: a simple idea to collect donated books and provide them to remote First Nations communities. Well, 2 million books found their way to children in Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut.

His Honour also shone a light on mental health at a time when most suffered in silence. He bravely spoke out about his depression and PTSD, which were brought on by a brutal attack he endured while serving Canada in South Africa. Those efforts to reduce the stigma were recognized when he received the Dr. Hugh Lafave and the Courage To Come Back Awards.

James Bartleman received many other accolades including 13 honorary degrees and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in Public Service. He was also named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Despite all of that, he never strayed from his roots and the values his parents cherished. Chief of the Rama First Nation Ted Williams reflected:

He was a man of the highest integrity, he was a champion for the underprivileged and he was an inspiration for the First Nation community.

That alone is a legacy worth celebrating.

Please join me in sending condolences to his wife, Marie‑Jeanne; and his children, Anne-Pascale, Laurent and Alain.

Meegwetch, thank you.