Cathy Merrick | |
|---|---|
| Kameekosit Ispokanee Iskwew | |
,_2023_(cropped).jpg) 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 | May 31, 1961 Cross Lake, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | (aged 63) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
Cathy Merrick (Woods Cree: Kameekosit Ispokanee Iskwew;[1] May 31, 1961 – September 6, 2024)[2] was a Canadian First Nations leader who was the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, becoming the first woman to serve in the position. Merrick began her career in 2001 as a councillor for the Pimicikamak Cree Nation; she would serve in that position for 12 years. She then ran for the position of chief for the First Nation in 2013, where she served until 2018. Among her activities as chief, Merrick was able to support the development of a healthcare centre within the community, and declared a state of emergency in the First Nation following several suicides on its territory. Merrick ran for the position of Grand Chief for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 2022, succeeding Arlen Dumas. She was re-elected to this position in 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. While speaking at a press conference following the acquittal of the corrections officer involved in the death of William Ahmo, she suddenly collapsed and died shortly after. Merrick's death prompted responses from Indigenous and political leaders from Manitoba and across Canada.
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/share/RiySvDjBXAtRf79c/?mibextid=WC7FNe via Nellie Kennedy “No words can capture the strength or kindheartedness of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. No words can capture her impact, nor the scope of her incredible leadership. And no words can come anywhere close to capturing our collective grief at her passing”. Grand Chief Merrick, you will be missed. Rest in power.”