Press Releases

Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Executive Council of Chiefs met today and during this emergency meeting, took time to address a deeply concerning matter regarding the Winnipeg Free Press (WFP). After careful deliberation, the Executive Council has unanimously decided to boycott the publication for its unethical and disrespectful coverage of the tragic passing of our beloved Grand Chief Cathy Merrick.

The WFP published images of Grand Chief Merrick very shortly after she collapsed at a public event. Despite multiple appeals from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), and several First Nations Leaders to remove these insensitive images, the publication refused. Their response to our requests was to suggest that the AMC and First Nations leadership should “see some value” in the images.

This response is not only an affront to ethical journalism but also to the basic principles of human decency. The publication of such images violates the privacy and dignity of Grand Chief Merrick and the grieving families, communities, and Nations who mourn her passing. We believe it is critical that media outlets uphold respect and cultural sensitivity, particularly in moments of profound loss. This lack of action by the editors of the Winnipeg Free Press is an affront to the path of Reconciliation and truly shows how far we need to travel as a society.

The AMC condemns the actions of the Winnipeg Free Press and as directed by the Executive Council of Chiefs, will be boycotting the newspaper until further notice. We will also encourage all First Nations and our allies to stand with us in this decision.

Our Grand Chief, Cathy Merrick, was a respected Leader, advocate, and voice for the First Nations of Manitoba. Her legacy deserves to be honoured with respect and dignity. The AMC will continue to defend and uphold her memory and call for greater accountability and cultural sensitivity from media outlets.

We call on the Winnipeg Free Press to reflect on the impact of their actions and reconsider their stance for the sake of healing and reconciliation.

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For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com 

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe, Nehetho / Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.