THUNDER BAY -- Canada's oldest residential school survivor has died in Moosonee.
Mushkegowuk elder Marguerite Wabano passed away on Saturday at the age of 111.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler issued a release Saturday evening expressing condolences to Wabano's family and community.
"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss this inspirational woman and respected leader and our prayers are with her and her family and friends at this difficult time," the release reads.
"Marguerite attributed her extraordinarily long life to her ability to forgive and her wisdom and compassion is an inspiration for us all."
Wabano was born in 1904 along the Ekwan River, north of Attawapiskat First Nation. She attended St. Anne's Indian Residential School at the age of 7.
Widely known as Gookum (the Cree term for grandmother), Wabano was given a seat of honour in the House of Commons for the federal government's historic apology for the residential school system in 2008.
Fiddler expressed hope she lived to finally see the political change between First Nations and Canadians turn its long corner.
"She survived one of the worst chapters of Canadian history and we hope that she lived to see the dawn of a new era in respectful relations between First nations and the Government of Canada.
