The President of the AMBM and Reeve of the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie, Mr. Ivan Normandeau, issued the following statement following the sudden passing of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick:
It is with great sadness that we learn of the sudden passing of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. The first woman elected to lead the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, she embodied exceptional leadership, marked by determination, humility and attentiveness. Her compassionate leadership has had a profound impact on Manitoba First Nations, and will continue to have an impact long after her passing.
We recognize her many efforts and contributions on behalf of Manitoba First Nations. Her unwavering commitment, clear vision and profound humanity inspired not only the members of her communities, but all those who were fortunate enough to cross her path. Cathy Merrick always combined strength with kindness, raising the voice of First Nations while building bridges with Manitoba as a whole.
We share the sadness of all First Nations communities at this difficult time. On behalf of Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership and our Francophone and bilingual communities, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones, and to all those who had the privilege of working with her.
Grand Chief Cathy Merrick leaves behind a powerful legacy. Her leadership, marked by unwavering determination and attentive listening, will continue to influence and guide future generations.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and community in this time of loss.
The AMBM is the voice of bilingual municipal leadership in the province of Manitoba. It represents 16 local governments committed to offering services in both official languages to their citizens. Together, these municipalities represent the majority of Manitoba’s population. Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership is also at the head of the AMBM Group, a consortium of three organizations with complementary mandates: the AMBM, the Economic Development Council of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (Conseil de développement des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba or CDEM) and Eco-West Canada (EWC), which specializes in the green economy. Complementing each other, these three organizations actively contribute to the development, vitality and sustainability of the province’s Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) and the province as a whole.
Information: Office of the Chief Executive Officer (O-CEO), 204-289-4077, [email protected].
