Ken Kane is being remembered by the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) as a role model for all aboriginal people in the territory.

The chief and council of the first nation expressed their sadness early this afternoon following Kane's death Monday at Whitehorse General Hospital, following a battle with cancer.

'Ken was an excellent communicator, a champion for Yukon first nations, and an amazing individual,' Chief Diane Strand said in a statement.

'We all feel his loss, and our hearts go out to his family.'

Kane played a role in building modern first nations communications by helping to start Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon and CHON-FM.

He was also part of the late Elijah Smith's team that brought Yukon first nation rights to Ottawa, which led to the approval of land claims in the territory, the CAFN noted.

'Friends have called him, Champagne Aishihik's biggest fan,' ' the first nations stated.

Most recently, Kane was recognized for his hard work when he received the Commissioner's Public Service Award last August.

That came a month after the CAFN honoured him with a surprise retirement party and dance at Kathleen Lake during the 2007 General Assembly.

His achievements date back to his youth, when he became one of the first Yukon first nations students to attend university at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He studied and played hockey there in the early 1960s.

Kane also had the distinction of being the only aboriginal hockey player on the original Yukon team, which travelled to Quebec City in 1967 for the first Canada Winter Games.

'Ken was an articulate, positive role model for all aboriginal people in the Yukon,' the CAFN stated. 'He will be sorely missed.'