Manitoba grand chief’s death marked with ceremonies, mourners attend legislature

WINNIPEG — Grand Chief Cathy Merrick was remembered Wednesday as a leader who combined strength with compassion and who never stopped fighting to better people’s lives.

Hundreds of people went to the Manitoba legislature where Merrick, the first woman to head the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, was given the honour of lying in state — the first such occasion in Manitoba since 2013.

“She cared for everyone. It doesn’t matter what status you have in life, you mattered to her,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 26 northern First Nations communities.

“People gravitated to her and felt supported by her,” said Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Merrick’s home community.

“She wasn’t there to put anybody down … she was there to be sure that it was a win-win situation for us, to uplift our people.”

Merrick collapsed Friday outside the Winnipeg courthouse while talking to reporters. Since then, there have been vigils and ceremonies, with more planned in Pimicikamak in the coming days.

Merrick’s casket was brought into the legislature for a closed-door ceremony Wednesday morning. As RCMP and members of the Winnipeg Police Service carried the casket into the building, family members, Premier Wab Kinew and others followed behind in a solemn procession.

The white casket was brought up the building’s grand staircase and into the legislature’s ceremonial room, which was adorned with flags.

Later, the general public was allowed to file in and pay their respects. It was the first ceremony of its kind since that of Elijah Harper, a former politician and chief, 11 years ago.

Former premier Gary Doer was among those who came to sign a book of condolences earlier in the day. He called Merrick a person of integrity and leadership.

“She had it all and she lived it all, and that’s why there’s so many people grieving her passing,” Doer said.

Merrick was elected grand chief in 2022 and was re-elected earlier this year. She gained national prominence while supporting the families of victims of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki, who was convicted of murdering four Indigenous women.

She also pushed for a search of the Prairie Green Landfill, where two of Skibicki’s victims, Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, are believed to have been taken.

The idea was rejected in 2022 by city police and the former Progressive Conservative government, who cited hazards from toxic materials, a large search area and other factors.

The New Democratic Party promised to fund a search and, after winning last year’s election, have partnered with the federal government to pay to have the effort begin in the coming months.

Kinew paid tribute to Merrick’s continued effort on the issue Wednesday.

“Her advocacy to search the landfill … changed this country for the better.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press