A commemoration for John Belfry Edzerza, a former government minister, MLA and Tahltan spiritual advisor, was held Sunday afternoon at Yukon College.

The funeral was attended by 700 to 800 people from communities across the Yukon, said Rev. Andrew Nieman, a close friend of Edzerza's and officiator at the funeral.

"The service went very well. People put a lot of work into it out of the love in their hearts for John,” said Nieman.

Edzerza died of leukemia on Nov. 25, after two rounds of chemotherapy at Vancouver General hospital.

He had been told by doctors that no more could be done to save his life, so he returned to the Yukon in his final days.

Though confined to a wheelchair, he was able to watch the Nov. 5 swearing-in of the new Yukon Party government.

A career advocate of the needs of the territory's poor and unrepresented, Edzerza overcame his own battles with addiction and dedicated his life to helping others, especially young people.

"He was a champion for the people,” said Nieman.

"He thought of the less fortunate, the homeless, alcoholics, kids in foster care.

"He overcame alcohol addiction, he was dedicated, he was really a person who would go out and fix things.”

Edzerza grew up in Atlin, B.C. during the 1960s.

He took to drinking at an early age, and became a chronic alcoholic by the age of 13.

He struggled with his addiction for many years afterword, finally recovering after a conversation with the Creator, said the program handed out at Sunday'service.

"Creator, if there is a Creator,” he said. "I need you to do one of two things. Either improve my life or let me die...I don't care which.”

He give up alcohol that night.

Edzerza went on to lead a successful career, first as a journeyman welder, and later as councillor for Kwanlin Dun First Nation and for people dealing with addictions.

He first served as the Yukon Party member for the riding of McIntyre-Takhini in 2002.

In August 2006, he became an independent and was elected as a New Democrat later that year.

Earlier this year, he ended his career with the Yukon Party, which he had rejoined in late 2009 as a cabinet minister.

During his time in the legislature, Edzerza held several ministerial positions, including education, health, social services, justice and the environment.

"When he spoke, you could hear his passion,” said Nieman.

"He'll be remembered most for speaking his mind and for telling what was in his heart.

"He didn't beat around the bush. He got straight to the point and when he was after an issue, you couldn't get away from it.”

Among his successes in politics were championing the interests of Yukon children, lobbying for the Jackson Lake Healing Centre and helping to realize the territory's public smoking ban, alongside former NDP leader Todd Hardy and MLA Steve Cardiff, said Nieman.

Hardy died of leukemia in July 2010.

Cardiff, the subject of a tribute in the legislature early this afternoon, died in a highway crash in July 2011.

Edzerza's funeral began with a traditional drum in, followed by prayers and speeches by Chief James Allen of the Champagne-Aishihik First Nations and Rev. Nieman.

"There was a lot of music yesterday,” said Nieman. "He loved music, he was a role model, a leader, a speaker and he will be missed.”

Edzerza leaves behind his partner, Christine, as well as 13 siblings, four children and seven

grandchildren.