Around 40 people attended a special ceremony to honour the late Terry General and his contributions to the Six Nations of the Grand River community on Monday, December 9, 2024.
The event, held by the Six Nations of the Grand River’s 59th elected council, featured the unveiling of General’s new memorial photo plaque, which was then hung inside of the Six Nations Paramedic Services building on Veterans Lane.
General, who passed away in May of 2024, was born and raised on Six Nations and was known for, among other things, serving as a councillor on the 50th and 51st elected Council from 1996 to 2001. He would later reprise his role as councillor again on the 56th and 57th elected Council, serving from 2013 to 2019.
Not only was he an active member and chair of several committees in regards to housing, justice, wildlife management, youth and Elders, Ganohkwarsa Family Assault Support Services and health, but he also participated in external committees for matrimonial real property law, education, gaming and the election code.
While serving as the Chair for the Six Nations Health Committee, General and Ruby Jacobs, the former Six Nations Health Director, advocated for proper ambulance services for First Nations communities.
In 1997, when the province of Ontario was looking to expand and download ambulance services to municipalities, the original plan did not consider First Nations territories. General and Jacobs both attended an Ontario Standing Committee meeting in London, Ontario, to let the province know that Six Nations deserved equal consideration.
“Terry shared the challenges faced by Six Nations,” read the memorial plaque. “Terry shared a personal story about the loss of his brother,Tony due to inadequate ambulance response times. His heartfelt testimony helped secure ambulance services for Six Nations.”
While General was certainly known for his work in politics, he was also known for his lengthy career in the trades, as well as his passion for sports like fastball, baseball, golf and hockey.
General played with teams like the Gates Rubber Company, the Waterford Tri-Cats and the Niagara Falls Junior A hockey Club. Additionally he also coached minor sports on Six Nations.
During the event, Chief Sherri-Lynn Hill, Councillors Dayle Bomberry and Melba Thomas, as well as Jacobs, all took the opportunity to share their fond memories of General and his work with his family and friends in attendance.
“This memorial plaque is a tribute to an amazing man who fought for what was right, not just for himself, but for his community,” said Chief Hill. “Nya:weh to Terry’s family for sharing your dad, your grandpa, your brother, and your uncle, with all of us. And nya:weh to Councillor Dayle Bomberry for bringing honour to Terry.”
After the speeches wrapped up, Councillor Bomberry then brought General’s family members to watch as he hung the memorial plaque in the main hallway of the Six Nations Ambulance Services building.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
