Spirit and legacy ‘an example to us all’

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This article was published 06/09/2024 (396 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The flags outside the Manitoba Legislative Building were lowered to half-mast Friday after the sudden death of Cathy Merrick, the first woman elected as grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs — “something that made so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in our province proud,” Premier Wab Kinew said.

Merrick collapsed while speaking with reporters Friday afternoon outside the Winnipeg law courts after corrections officer Robert Jeffrey Morden was acquitted in the 2021 death of Headingley jail inmate William Ahmo.

A Winnipeg Police Service detective was among the people who tried to help Merrick after she collapsed. She was taken by ambulance to hospital and pronounced dead.

“She approached her work with joy, compassion, thoughtfulness and a spirituality that was grounded in the belief that we are all equal in the eyes of the Creator and that we all deserve to live a good life,” Kinew said in a statement. He and his wife Dr. Lisa Monkman had known her for years, “as a grand chief, First Nations leader, sundancer and kookum.”

“I will miss her wise counsel, her drive to get things done and most of all — her hugs. No matter how challenging or difficult any political conversation was, Cathy Merrick always greeted you and said farewell by hugging you,” Kinew said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered condolences to her family and friends.

“Grand Chief Cathy Merrick was a relentless and incredibly effective advocate for First Nations peoples, especially for those most vulnerable. As the first woman to lead the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and throughout her entire career, she inspired so many of us,” he wrote on social media.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said he was shocked by the news and Merrick’s death is a “huge loss” to the city and province.

“I always valued her wisdom, her insight, I just saw her yesterday and we gave each other a big hug,” he said Friday afternoon.

The mayor considered Merrick a “heartfelt” and “wise” leader and will remember her as a champion and fighter for justice, he said.

“This is very sad news for all of Winnipeg, all of Manitoba, Indigenous and non Indigenous people alike,” Gillingham said. “I will only hold her in the highest regard.”

Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand said Merrick was a friend for many years.

“She was always one with a smile and a strong welcome for anyone she met,” Chartrand said, noting he last saw her at an event Thursday night.

“I gave her a hug and wished her well, and said I’d see her soon.”

Chartrand expressed condolences to Merrick’s family and friends on behalf of his cabinet and the Red River Métis.

“I know from personal experience that she was a consummate professional, a strong communicator and a passionate advocate for her people — she died as she lived, working tirelessly for the causes she cared about.”

Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, the MP for St. Boniface—St. Vital said he was “shocked and incredibly saddened” to hear about Merrick’s death.

“She was a tireless advocate for First Nations in Manitoba and an excellent grand chief. Her spirit and legacy is an example to us all,” said Vandal.

Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Allan Danroth said he’d just met Merrick for the first time Friday morning.

“To say I was stunned to learn of her passing is an understatement,” he said in an email. They discussed “issues of mutual interest between Manitoba Hydro, the AMC, and the First Nations they represent.” The grand chief was “a dedicated and passionate leader who worked diligently to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of Indigenous peoples across Manitoba.”

Progressive Conservative interim leader Wayne Ewasko asked Manitobans to show support for Merrick and her family “as we all try to come to terms with this sudden loss.”

Mark Chipman, executive chairman of True North Sports & Entertainment, said Merrick’s “guidance was critical to the establishment of (south Point Douglas shelter) N’Dinawemak, and we remain grateful for her leadership.”

Merrick’s death comes at a tumultuous time in the Indigenous community. Over the last week-and-a-half, serial killer Jeremy Skibicki was officially sentenced to life in prison for the slayings of four Indigenous women, a 30-year-old First Nations woman was struck and killed by a police cruiser at a homeless encampment and a demonstration held to protest that woman’s death turned violent when a motorist drove through a blockade, striking a cyclist.

Merrick was re-elected as AMC grand chief in July. She was first elected as grand chief in 2022 after years serving as chief of Pimicikamak Cree Nation. The role of AMC grand chief had been vacant after Arlen Dumas was accused of workplace sexual harassment and removed from the job.

Merrick told the Brandon Sun at the time of her re-election that one of her major goals over the next three years would be to improve and develop the assembly’s relationship with the Manitoba government.

“We need to be at the table when decisions are made, not an afterthought,” she said at the time.

Merrick said her first priority would be to address water issues that have affected First Nations across Manitoba.

Veteran Manitoba political observer Paul Thomas admired Merrick’s political acumen, dedication and hard work.

“There are enormous challenges and intense pressures on such leaders during the period of rising Indigenous pride, high expectations, impatience, frustrations and anger on numerous issues related to reconciliation,” said the University of Manitoba political studies professor emeritus.

“My sense was that she had grown and developed her knowledge, skills and judgment in the short time that she served as head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. She needed credibility and political acumen to work effectively with the chiefs, the diverse Indigenous communities across the province, and with all three orders of government,” Thomas said. “Her leadership accomplishments gained from the fact that Manitoba has its first First Nation premier and other Indigenous leaders in cabinet and caucus.”

Churchill—Keewatinook Aski MP Niki Ashton remembered the Indigenous leader as an “inspiration” who led with “compassion, determination and courage.”

“Grand Chief Merrick devoted her life to public service and advocacy. She was rooted in the challenges that people on First Nations face day in, day out,” Ashton, who serves Pimicikamak Cree Nation, said in a statement.

— with files from Nicole Buffie and Joyanne Pursaga

Carol.Sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Carol Sanders
Legislature reporter

Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol.

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