Alvina Cimon with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal at the 2012
MNO Annual General Assembly. Click here to view a larger
version.
Click here to view the obituary for Alvina Cimon.
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing, on May 17, 2016, of Métis community leader Alvina Cimon. Alvina was well known across the Métis Nation as a dedicated leader of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Northwest Métis Council and was a long time council member and past council president. Alvina served approximately 20 years as president, which is longer than any other person has served as a community council president. MNO President Margaret Froh and PCMNO Secretary-Treasurer, Tim Pile, recently spent some time with Alvina and her family on a recent trip to Dryden. “Alvina’s sense of humour was strong that day and I was looking forward to my next visit with her. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of her passing,” stated President Froh.
In 2012, at the Annual General Assembly that year, Alvina was recognized for her leadership when she was presented by the Queen’s Jubilee Medal by then MNO President Gary Lipinski.
As many of us know, Alvina was frequently held up by past President Lipinski as an example for her dedication to the MNO and the Métis cause. He often related the story of a meeting of community council presidents where concerns were raised about the lack of funding to support their activities. Alvina stepped up to the microphone and said: “I just do what needs to be done to make sure we can keep the office going. I was out on the weekend collecting bottles on the side of the road to help ensure council had enough to keep going.” The story shows how dedicated Alvina was—she would do anything to help others, and to keep the council and the office going.
“Alvina’s commitment to community, and her strong work as a community leader was an inspiration to us all. Her loss will be deeply felt across the nation. On behalf of all MNO citizens and our Métis public service, I extend condolences to Alvina’s family and the entire regional community. I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers,” concluded President Froh.
The funeral for Alvina Cimon will be on Tuesday, May 24 at 1:00 p.m.
Flowers can be sent to the funeral home listed below:
Dryden Community Funeral Home
249 Grand Trunk Avenue
Dryden, Ontario, P8N 2X3
Ph: 807-221-3000
Fax: 807-221-3005
Email: dcfh@drytel.net
Published on: May 18, 2016