Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe says he was saddened to hear the news this week of the passing of former Labrador MP and Senator Bill Rompkey.
“Mr. Rompkey was a long-time friend of Labrador and a strong advocate for Labrador Inuit and self-governance,” says President Lampe. “During his political career, and even after his retirement, he was a true Labrador ambassador wherever his travels took him.”
Born in Belleoram, Newfoundland, Rompkey moved to Labrador in 1963 to work as the principal of Yale Amalgamated School in North West River.
He was later appointed as the first superintendent of the Labrador East Integrated School Board – a position he held until 1971.
During this time, many students from northern Labrador were required to attend Yale in order to complete their formal education.
“He taught a lot of students from our communities, and because of this, I think he had a special place in his heart for northern Labrador,” says President Lampe.
“On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Government, and Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, I want to extend my sincere condolences to the Rompkey family, especially to his wife Carolyn and their children, Hilary and Peter. He will be missed.”