Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick has passed away after collapsing outside of the Law Courts Building in Winnipeg on Friday.
Merrick was speaking to media about a case when she collapsed.
Merrick was elected as the first woman to lead the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in October of 2022.
The former chief of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation was re-elected to the position in July of this year.
In a statement his afternoon, Premier Wab Kinew said flags at the Manitoba Legislature have been lowered to half-mast in honour of Merrick.
He added he will miss her counsel, her drive to get things done, and most of all - her hugs.
