Funeral services for Steve Taylor will take place in Dawson City, Yukon, today.

The former chief of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in passed away earlier this week in Whitehorse due to cancer. He was 61 years old. He was serving as a councillor when he died.

Steve Taylor passed away in Whitehorse last week. He was 61 years old. (Facebook)

Long-time friend Angie Joseph-Rear said Taylor got involved in politics at an early age. She said it was his depth of knowledge of First Nations organizations in Yukon that made him a valuable resource during her own years in office.

“For the three years I was chief, I relied solely with him because of his knowledge and wisdom in these areas. So I relied on him when we went to Ottawa to complete the umbrella final agreement and I called on him and he was down there with me,” she said.

Taylor served as chief of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in from 1990 to1998.

Joseph-Rear said Taylor was also instrumental in the amalgamation of the Yukon Native Brotherhood and the Yukon Council of First Nations.

She added he was never one to seek the spotlight.

"He was our backbone. He was our pusher, you know, and offered a lot of guidance. He listened, he really listened and observed and then he would make his comments."

Services take place at St. Paul's Anglican Church starting at 2 p.m. local time. A reception will take place at Robert Service School at 5 p.m.