A book of condolences has been set up at the Manitoba legislature as mourners say goodbye to Cathy Merrick, the first woman to lead the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
Premier Wab Kinew, Mayor Scott Gillingham and Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville were among those Tuesday who signed the book Tuesday.
The public is also welcome to sign the book, located at the foot of the grand staircase in the legislative building next to framed pictures of late grand chief.
Her body will lie in state Wednesday, ahead of her funeral and burial at her home community of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, where she served as chief before being elected in 2022 to lead the AMC.
Merrick died after collapsing Friday afternoon on the steps outside the Winnipeg law courts where she was speaking to reporters about two major court decisions: the acquittal of corrections officer Robert Jeffrey Morden in the 2021 death of Headingley jail inmate William Ahmo and the approval of a $530-million settlement for First Nation children in care.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca