Manitoba chiefs establish wellness fund to honour late Grand Chief Cathy Merrick

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) announced the creation of a wellness fund in memory of former Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, who passed away unexpectedly last September.

The “Late Grand Chief Cathy Merrick Holistic Wellness Fund” is intended to support the leadership and the staff of the AMC and other 63 Manitoba First Nations it represents, the AMC said in a press release Tuesday.

A resolution to create the fund was unanimously passed at a special meeting of the AMC earlier this week.

The fund, which has not yet been established, will be for chiefs and leaders on the council to support wellness and healing activities.

“A lot of chiefs live with a lot of stress,” said Chief Angela Levasseur of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. “We spend a lot of time sitting, we’re always in meetings. Not always eating the best food. We don’t get a lot of opportunities for exercise. In honour of our late Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, we’ve established this ‘Holistic Wellness Fund.’

“As our teachings demonstrate, we have our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects as human beings. And we must nurture all of these if we’re going to be well in a holistic manner.

“This is how we are honouring our late Grand Chief because she always told us to take care of ourselves and we need to do that if we plan to live for a long time, and be there for our families and our communities.”

Chief Levasseur, who proposed the resolution, said the fund honoured Merrick’s legacy and reflected her deep care of her community.

“We carry her legacy forward with action. This fund honours her vision by supporting the health and wellness of First Nations leadership and staff. It reflects our shared responsibility to care for those who serve our Nation,” Levasseur said.

AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said the fund would carry forward Merrick’s vision of balancing governance work with well-being and healing.

“She reminded us that leadership must never come at the cost of our well-being,” said Wilson. “It is a reminder that our leaders deserve the same healing they fight for every day.”

The amount of the fund was not specified. The resolution called for contribution to the fund by the government. The AMC also said it would also look to raise long-term funding from corporations and philanthropic sources.

“The resolution calls on all levels of government to fulfill their obligations under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by providing core funding,” the AMC said.

The AMC is organizing a community walking or running event led by Levasseur. The “Movement is Medicine 5KM Walk/Run” will be held at Winnipeg’s Kildonan Park on Wednesday.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about our late Grand Chief,’ said Chief Levasseur. “What I remember most about her was how much love she had for us. She was always concerned. We were her chiefs … She wanted us to take care of ourselves. She set a great example.”

–With files from Joanne Roberts