Grand Chief Sylliboy Dies at 76

by Dave DesveauxDecember 1, 2017

Mi’kmaq Grand Council Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy has died at the age of 76.

Waycobah Chief Rod Googoo says Sylliboy was a figure head for the whole Mi’kmaq nation, stretching from this province to New Brunswick and PEI, and parts of Newfoundland, Quebec and Maine.

Sylliboy was born in Waycobah, where he became hereditary chief in 1968 and a band councillor in 1970.

He served as Grand Chief since his late predecessor, Donald Marshall, Sr., asked him to step in, originally on an interim basis, in 1991.

Sylliboy is survived by a wife and two daughters.

Googoo says a state funeral will be held for Sylliboy, attracting people from all over traditional Mi’kmaq territory.

Dave Desveaux

Dave Desveaux, a native of New Waterford leverages his experience and passion for research in The Coast 89.7 Newsroom where as the Weekday Newscaster. His foray into radio began with a research position at The Coast, which led to the production of a radio documentary on the music of the Mi’kmaq people. The program, entitled “First Nations, First Music” was co-produced with fellow Coast personality Ron Neville and released in early 2011. A graduate of Breton Education Centre, Dave went on to get a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology from Cape Breton University, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology from Dalhousie University. He has worked as a teaching assistant at Dalhousie, and in various short-term customer service and research positions.

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