‘A great leader’: Cathy Merrick honoured with new plane dedication

An aviation company has named one of its newest aircraft in honour of the late AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick.

Cathy Merrick, the late Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, was honoured Wednesday by Perimeter Aviation.

The company dedicated its newest Dash 8 aircraft in Merrick’s name.

Joey Petrisor, the president and CEO of Perimeter Aviation, said Merrick constantly advocated for First Nations to have access to essential services.

“Dedicating this aircraft is a meaningful way to honour her legacy and our shared commitment to ensuring communities are never left without access to vital services,” he said.

The plane has been registered as C-GYCM, with the “C” and “M” standing for Merrick’s initials. There is also a permanent display near the door of the plane, which includes her spirit name written in Cree syllabics.

“She carried so many roles in our communities and our nations,” said AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “She worked tirelessly every single day for people. And just thinking about our personal relationship that I had with her, she was always so calm and just so beautiful and gentle.”

Wilson called Merrick a mentor and said she knows she helped so many people through tough times.

“Just looking at this work that’s been done, honouring her and acknowledging her on this aircraft, we will continue to see and remind ourselves of the great work that she did when she was our Grand Chief, our Chief, and she was just a great leader.”

Cathy Merrick died suddenly at the age of 63 on Sept. 6, 2024, after collapsing outside the Winnipeg law courts.

Following her death, hundreds gathered at the courthouse to pay their respects to Merrick during a candlelight vigil. She lay in state at the Manitoba legislature.