First Nation leader Elijah Harper, who came to national prominence in 1990 when he stopped a Canadian constitutional amendment that did not have the input of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, has died at the age of 64.
He died early Friday in Ottawa as a result of cardiac failure due to diabetes complications, according to a statement released by his family.
In 1990, as an elected NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly in the legislature of the province of Manitoba, Elijah Harper stood in the legislature and refused to support the Meech Lake accord. This blocked a constitutional amendment package negotiated to gain Quebec’s acceptance of the Constitution Act of 1982.
The Manitoba premier at the time, Gary Filmon, had asked the legislature to start the debate on whether to support or block the accord. Because of time pressures, he asked the MLAs to waive a two-day waiting period formality.
But Elijah Harper with an eagle feather raised, said. “No leave, Mr. Speaker.”
In a press release Friday, Shawn Atleo, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations said of Elijah Harper:
“Elijah’s commitment and dedication to asserting and upholding First Nation rights and recognition has helped lay a solid foundation as this hard work continues today. Leading two Sacred Assemblies focused on finding a spiritual basis for healing and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, Elijah’s drive and actions toward reconciliation will continue to be a legacy for First Nation and all Canadians as we move toward improved and renewed relationships based on mutual respect and recognition – two things he stood firm on in all of his work.”
NDP MLA Elijah Harper sits in the Manitoba legislature holding an eagle feather for spiritual strength as he continues to delay the house debate on the Meech Lake accord in Winnipeg, June 19, 1990. (Photo: Wayne Glowacki/CP)
More information:
CBC News – Elijah Harper, key player in Meech Lake accord, dies at 64 – here
CBC Digital Archives – Manitoba MLA Elijah Harper votes against Meech Lake – here
Assembly of First Nations press release – here
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