Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. (KIM Inc.) leadership and staff are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Cathy Merrick, member and former Chief of Pimicikamak and Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
Grand Chief Cathy Merrick was one of KIM’s first Board members back in 2021 before taking leadership of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, as their first female Grand Chief. In her letter of interest for inclusion on KIM’s Board, she wrote about what everyone already knew that she “lived and worked most of her life for the health of the people”.
Her personal profile submitted to KIM at that time included key accomplishments such as being a fluent speaker of the Swampy Cree language; a residential school survivor; a wife of 30+ years, mother of 3, and grandmother to 7 kootitims; Chief of Pimicikamak and various health leadership roles including as a lead member negotiating for the Cross Lake Health Center project; member of the AMC Executive Council, member of the MKO Executive Council, member of the Chiefs Health Task Force; chairperson for the First Nation Health and Social Secretariat, and member of the AFN Chiefs Health Committee for Manitoba.
Dr. Barry Lavallee, KIM Inc. CEO stated, “We have lost a strong female warrior who was unrelenting in standing up for the people. I’m saddened that she had to fight so hard over her lifetime. Our minds and our hearts have limitations – no matter how strong we must be. We, as Indigenous leaders, are needlessly placed in an adversarial position daily. It’s a necessary fight for justice, but for today, I don’t want to fight. Rather, I want us instead to remember her accomplishments and her legacy of leadership as an example to the young people and women who may aspire to follow in her footsteps.”
To that end, KIM Inc. will establish an annual memorial bursary in her name with details and criteria developed in collaboration with Pimicikamak leadership.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Grand Chief Merrick’s family, loved ones, and the many First Nations communities she touched. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us.