Cathy Merrick

Catherine Ann Merrick (née McKay; Woods Cree: Kameekosit Ispokanee Iskwew; May 31, 1961 – September 6, 2024) was a Cree woman from Pimicikamak Cree Nation and the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Merrick began her political career in 2001 as a Councillor for her home Nation of Pimicikamak Cree Nation; she served in that position for 12 years. She then became the second female Chief of Pimicikamak and served in this role until 2018. As Chief, Merrick supported the development of a $55 million healthcare centre within the community. In October 2022, Merrick became the first woman to be elected Grand Chief to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, succeeding Arlen Dumas. She was re-elected to this position in July 2024.

As Grand Chief, she worked to address the reputation of the AMC following Dumas' tenure, negotiating water and land claims for Manitoba First Nations, working towards the return of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation to the AMC, and advocating for a landfill search for the victims of the 2022 Winnipeg serial killings.

On September 6, 2024, Merrick was addressing a press conference outside the Manitoba Law Courts in Winnipeg, following the acquittal of the corrections officer involved in the death of William Ahmo. While speaking to the media on a separate issue regarding the Children's Special Allowance, announced the previous day, she suddenly collapsed. Merrick was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to St. Boniface Hospital. Her death elicited responses from Indigenous and political leaders across Manitoba, Canada, and internationally.