Aurélien Gill facts for kids

Aurélien Gill was an important Canadian businessman, teacher, and politician. He was born on August 26, 1933, and passed away on January 17, 2015. Mr. Gill served as a member of the Senate of Canada from 1998 until he retired in 2008.

About Aurélien Gill

Aurélien Gill was born in Mashteuiatsh, Quebec. This is the only First Nations community in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. He studied at Université Laval and earned a bachelor's degree in teaching.

Mr. Gill was a strong supporter and businessman for Indigenous peoples. He also worked as a teacher and for the government. He was the Director-General for Quebec in the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. He helped start the Conseil Attikamek-Montagnais. He also served as the chief of the Mashteuiatsh community twice, from 1975 to 1982 and again from 1987 to 1989.

In 1991, Aurélien Gill was honored as a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. This is a special award given by the province of Quebec.

Political Journey

Aurélien Gill first tried to become a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1993 Canadian federal election. He ran in the area called Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean. He came in second place in that election.

Later, on September 17, 1998, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien chose him to become a member of the Senate of Canada. The Senate is like an upper house of Canada's Parliament. He represented the area of Wellington in Quebec. He was a member of the Liberal Party. Aurélien Gill retired from the Senate on his 75th birthday, August 26, 2008. He passed away a few years later, on January 17, 2015.