Thunder Bay Police upgraded the charge four days after 53-year-old Barney Beaver of Webequie First Nation died of his injuries in hospital.
Police say Beaver was found unconscious in his room at Thunder Bay's Victoria Inn December 17th by cleaning staff.
Thirty-three-year-old Summer Beaver First Nation resident Kelsey Lance Charles Jacob is in custody and will appear in Thunder Bay court on January 5th.
A memorial service for Beaver is to take place at Webequie today
