Statement from Grand Chief Cathy Merrick
April 12, 2024
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory– The following statement has been prepared by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Cathy Merrick:
Recently, one of our member Chiefs was charged with numerous criminal offences. These allegations are serious and profoundly distressing. While I recognize that this Chief has been charged and not convicted of these offences, I want to make it clear that the AMC unequivocally condemns the actions he is accused of. Given the severe nature of the charges, the Executive Council of Chiefs has directed that this Chief shall not be welcome to attend our Chiefs-in-Assembly or any AMC events until these charges are resolved. Once resolved, our Chiefs will give further direction.
Before I was elected Grand Chief of the AMC, I served as Chief of the Pimicikamack Cree Nation, and I had the honour of representing the citizens of my Nation. Despite the imposition of the Indian Act and other colonial laws on First Nations, we continue to govern in accordance with our own laws and governance systems. These laws hold our Leadership to the highest standards of conduct. Our citizens, our Elders and Knowledge Keepers, alongside other leaders, rightfully expect nothing less than exemplary behaviour from our Chiefs. This includes the responsibility of protecting our most vulnerable and sacred citizens: our children.
It is a privilege to serve as the Grand Chief of the AMC and to collaborate with the many Chiefs whose exceptional leadership qualities raise the standards of excellence to which we aspire. As Chiefs and leaders of our Nations, we must hold each other accountable and maintain these high standards. The honour and trust our citizens place in us demand nothing less.
I wish to extend my support to the children and families affected by these recent events. I have reached out to the Council of the Lake St. Martin First Nation to offer assistance from the AMC during this challenging time.”
Grand Chief Cathy Merrick
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 62 of the 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 (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) peoples.