Cathy Merrick | |
|---|---|
Kameekosit Ispokanee Iskwew | |
,_2023_(cropped).jpg) Grand Chief Merrick in 2023 | |
| Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs | |
| In office October 26, 2022 – September 6, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Arlen Dumas |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Chief of Pimicikamak Cree Nation | |
| In office 2013–2018 | |
| Preceded by | Walter Monias |
| Succeeded by | David Monias |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Catherine Ann McKay May 31, 1961 Norway House, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | September 6, 2024 (aged 63) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Spouse | Todd Merrick |
| Children | 3 |
Catherine Ann Merrick (née McKay;[1] Woods Cree: Kameekosit Ispokanee Iskwew;[2] May 31, 1961 – September 6, 2024)[3] was a Cree woman from Pimicikamak Cree Nation and the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Merrick began her political career in 2001 as a Councillor for her home Nation of Pimicikamak Cree Nation; she would serve in that position for 12 years. After twelve years as a Councillor she became the second female Chief of Pimicikamak and served in this role for the full five years until 2018, as per Pimicikamak election law. As Chief, Merrick successfully lobbied for and secured $40-million to construct the Cross Lake Health Complex, the first of its kind in Northern Manitoba, bringing much-needed healthcare to Northern First Nations. In October 2022, Merrick made history as the first woman to be elected Grand Chief to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, succeeding Arlen Dumas. She was re-elected to this position in July 2024.
As Grand Chief, she worked to address the reputation of the AMC following Dumas' tenure, negotiating water and land claims for Manitoba First Nations, working towards the return of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation to the AMC, and advocating for a landfill search for the victims of the 2022 Winnipeg serial killings.
On September 6, 2024, Merrick was addressing a press conference outside the Manitoba Law Courts in Winnipeg, following the acquittal of the corrections officer involved in William Ahmo's death.[4] While speaking to the media on a separate issue regarding the Children's Special Allowance,[5] announced the previous day, she suddenly collapsed. Merrick was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to St. Boniface Hospital. Her passing elicited heartfelt responses from Indigenous and political leaders across Manitoba, Canada, and internationally.
- ^ Stevis-Gridneff, Matina; Wheeler, Kim (September 17, 2024). "Cathy Merrick, 63, Advocate for Indigenous People in Canada, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- ^ Murray, Kimberly R. (November 28, 2022). "National Gathering on Unmarked Burials: Addressing Trauma in the Search and Recovery of Missing Children" (PDF). Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor. Winnipeg, MB: Attorney General of Canada. p. 15. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
sanderswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Manitoba corrections officer acquitted in 2021 death of Headingley inmate William Ahmo". CBC.
- ^ "Manitoba judge approves settlement of over $500M for former kids in care". CBC.