The unexpected death of Manitoba’s top First Nations leader sent shockwaves through Indigenous, political and grassroots circles Friday.
Cathy Merrick, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), died after suddenly collapsing in front of the Winnipeg courthouse.
Known for her ready hugs and wide smile, Merrick was a fierce advocate who could deliver a passionate speech.
Before she collapsed, Merrick was speaking to reporters about two court decisions affecting First Nations people.
She was an authentic and accessible leader, said Mike Birch, grand chief of the Anisininew Okimawin, which represents four First Nations in Manitoba’s northern Island Lake district.
“She was here this week to bring me a Star Blanket and congratulate me on my election,” said Birch in a telephone interview. “We were really, really good friends.
“This is one of the darkest days I’ve known in quite a long time.”
Reaction was swift to the news that the first female grand chief in Manitoba had died unexpectedly.
Merrick was rushed to hospital over the noon hour.
She was married and in her 60s, said Chief Larson Anderson of Norway House Cree Nation.
“I am in shock, saddened, wondering what we do now,” said Anderson in a phone interview.
“We are a strong organization,” he added, his voice trailing off, “but we have never had a sitting chief or grand chief die in office.”
Other chiefs contacted by APTN were too distraught to comment.
Merrick was Cree from Cross Lake, a reserve in northern Manitoba just northeast of Norway House, which is about eight hours north of Winnipeg.
She was a chief of her community and had been health director when Cross Lake started lobbying Ottawa to build a hospital in its territory.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew released a statement Friday afternoon.
“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,” said Kinew in the statement.
“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 flags at the Manitoba legislature have been lowered to half-mast.
Such heartbreaking news…She supported all of us even our families on Algonquin Territory.
Prayers. Up. Tobacco Down…#NoMoreStolenSisters #FSIS https://t.co/ZiNszVKgh9
— FSIS (@Famsisterspirit) September 6, 2024
Emergency crews arrived and took Merrick to St. Boniface Hospital.
Anderson said he supported Merrick both times she ran for grand chief of the AMC.
“She was a friend, a colleague and a mentor,” he said. “My prayers are with her family, and the people of Cross Lake.”
Merrick had been front and centre during the national call to search a Manitoba landfill for the bodies of two of four First Nations women slain by a serial killer in Winnipeg in 2022.
AMC authored a feasibility study that helped convince politicians to commence a search for the women’s remains that is scheduled to begin in October.
She sometimes attended the trial, which ended in July with a guilty verdict on four counts of first-degree murder for Jeremy Skibicki. And regularly appeared at marches, vigils and conventions locally, regionally and nationally.
Reaction on social media paid tribute to Merrick.
“Grand Chief Merrick of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was an incredible leader,” Cindy Blackstock, head of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Wise, inspiring and always focused on the people.
“Sending prayers to her family, friends, Nation and all First Nations in Manitoba.”
David Chartrand, the president of the Manitoba Métis Federation, said he attended a recent gathering with Merrick.
“On behalf of our Cabinet and our Nation, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick,” he said. “I have known Cathy for many, many years, and she was always one with a smile and a strong welcome for anyone she met. I am proud to have called her a friend.”
AMC has yet to issue a formal statement about Merrick’s death.
Both Birch and Anderson noted Merrick was a Christian who drew strength from her relationship with the Creator.
“May she be at peace in the Spirit World,” said Anderson.
Meanwhile, some Manitoba judges, including Chief Justice Glenn Joyal who presided over the Skibicki case, offered their condolences in a joint statement.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick,” they said. “Grand Chief Merrick was a passionate and caring leader of her people. She brought forward systemic issues and engaged openly with the Courts to carve a new path forward together.
“We will deeply miss her wisdom and compassion and more importantly we will miss her. We offer our condolences to her family, friends and community.”
