Mushkegowuk grand chief remains in good spirits during cancer battle

As he enters his sixth month of chemotherapy treatment for a tumour along his liver, colon and stomach lining, Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Stan Louttit remains optimistic in his battle with cancer.
“I feel fine with the usual chemo aftereffects,” he said. “I’m back on the job full-time and I’m enjoying what I’m doing.”
Last fall, Louttit underwent surgery to remove tumours from his colon and liver but surgeons discovered the cancer has spread to his stomach lining.
Since January, Louttit has been going to Kingston every two weeks to undergo chemotherapy treatment to combat the cancer.
In the last week of May, a CT scan showed that the tumour had not changed in size since he began chemotherapy. Louttit said it was “good news.”
“I would’ve liked to have heard that this was going smaller and the chemo is diminishing it but that’s not the case,” he said. “But that’s fine. As long as it’s not growing or getting any worse.”
Louttit said he is experiencing the usual chemotherapy aftereffects of fatigue and tiredness but it has not impacted his job of being the leader of a tribal council that represents seven First Nations communities in northeastern Ontario.
“I still go down regularly to Kingston every two weeks for three days…but for the most part, I’m here,” he said from his office in Moose Factory. “I can’t do all the things I would like to do, mind you, but it’s a good thing being a grand chief doesn’t entail physical work.”
Another side effect of chemotherapy is weight loss. Louttit, who used to weigh more than 230 pounds, has lost close to 70 pounds since January.
“I always wanted to lose weight but not this way,” he said with a laugh.
Louttit said he has regained his usual appetite and is eating well, but he cannot seem to gain any weight.
“I guess the chemo burns it off. I am eating well but I can’t put on the pounds. Maybe in the future once I improve.”
Upon learning the news of the cancer spread, Louttit turned to traditional ceremonies to complement medical science. He took part in two ceremonies but the traditional healer does not want Louttit to take part in more “advanced” ceremonies until the tumour size has diminished.
“Then they’ll go into the other part of the ceremony,” Louttit said. “I don’t know what they do, but it’s through a sweat lodge anyway. I’m keeping close contact with the traditional person.”
Since his cancer battle became public, Louttit continues to receive support and prayers from community members and leaders.
“The chiefs understand what I’m going through and are very supportive, and community members as well,” Louttit said.
A Facebook group called “Support and Prayer For Our Grand Chief Stan Louttit” was created by former Kashechewan chief Jonathon Solomon, who also served as Mushkegowuk deputy grand chief.
Through the group page, Louttit and his family receive prayers and well wishes daily.
Louttit said the moral support is helpful, especially after doctors told him he will need to continue his chemotherapy for the “foreseeable” future.
“I feel fine,” he said. “I got a good outlook and I’m optimistic as always that things will work out.”
Louttit is a Fort Albany member who grew up in Attawapiskat before moving to Moose Factory during his teens. He is currently serving his third term as Mushkegowuk grand chief since first being elected in 2004. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2011.