Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - September 7 2024 - First Nations leaders have paid tribute to the late grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Cathy Merrick, as they mourn her passing.

Many say Merrick was a great leader, warrior, and powerful voice, but vowed to continue her advocacy work. She was a fellow wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to everyone she knew.

Merrick was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead after she collapsed while speaking to reporters outside Winnipeg's law courts on Friday afternoon.

Tributes for Merrick poured in from across the country, including Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as several other MLAs and members of Parliament.

Willie Moore, the Assembly of First Nations regional chief representing Manitoba, said that Merrick "worked for the people her entire life." She was a problem-solver who brought people together even in death, and that's why she was nominated for the AMC role.

Merrick is survived by her husband, Todd, three children, and eight grandchildren.

Her election as grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in October 2022 was historic, as she became the first woman to lead the advocacy group in its nearly 35-year history.

She spent over a decade as a band councillor at Pimicikamak Cree Nation (also known as Cross Lake) in northern Manitoba and became the First Nation's chief in 2013.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called Merrick a leading voice in the push for a search of the Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, for the remains of two First Nations women — Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran — who were slain by a serial killer in 2022.