Remembering Elijah Harper May 21, 2013 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email On the evening of Monday, May 20, 2013, services were held for the late Elijah Harper, former member chief of the Red Sucker Lake First Nation, cabinet minister in the Manitoba legislature, and former Liberal Member of Parliament. Hundreds of people lined up to see Mr Harper as he laid in state in the Manitoba legislature that same afternoon. The following are personal memories and anecdotes from current and former executive members of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission: Chad Cowie, National Co-Chair, Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission: I had the great opportunity to meet Elijah Harper – someone I came to consider as a role model during my first year of University – in March of 2009. I was at a Youth Forum that was held in Kenora through the Chiefs of Ontario and he was the keynote speaker to the youth in attendance. A co-worker and I eagerly waited in the crowd of 14-29 year olds to have a chance to shake his hand, get a picture with him, and also say thank you for what he did in 1990. For many in the political realm, Clyde Wells, the Premier of Newfoundland at the time of the vote on the Meech Lake Accord, is usually credited with preventing its passing. However, I have always looked at it differently. It was in fact Elijah Harper who blocked the Manitoba legislature from being able to vote and pass the Accord. He became the first person to stand up, literally, to defend the Indigenous/Canadian relationship that been ignored during the Accord’s formation. Additionally, he is a shining example of an Indigenous person who used the Canadian electoral and political process in a way to make sure an Indigenous voice was heard and listened to – an example of the power and influence Indigenous people can yield in the Canadian political system. To me, Elijah Harper represents what I believe in: someone who stands for their convictions and is not afraid to go against party discipline, partisan politics, and the proverbial ‘herd’ – all to ensure the voices of the First Peoples were not misrepresented or unheard. Chi-Migwetch Elijah, Chad Cowie, Co-Chair (Male) Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission Reina Sinclair, President- Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission (Saskatchewan): I will always remember our great times in Candidate College during the summer of 1992… all the aboriginal candidate’s were at a table and I was speechless because of who they sat me next to… none other than the incomparable ELIJAH HARPER!!! He was telling jokes about the Indians being in the “back of the room” (using his chin to point…lol). Then, next thing you know, I was laughing and then Elijah went silent. I turned around and there is former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Pierre Trudeau saying hi and chatting with him. Elijah introduced me to him and nothing came out. I was caught off guard and completely stuttering!!! If not for Elijah, it would have been serious. He made a joke and introduced me. Elijah was always a down to earth man that was not afraid to speak to anyone. From that moment on I have never been afraid to speak to anyone no matter what. Elijah, the universe is your playground now… have fun! Reina Sinclair, President Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission (Saskatchewan) Tanya Kappo, former National Co-Chair, Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission: I’ve been very lucky to have known Elijah Harper in my life. His involvement in federal and provincial politics was what made me consider that as an option. Before him, I had never considered participation as anything I would even consider, even as a voter. But he changed that for me, and was very encouraging. His advice and support was always welcome and I treasured it whenever he decided to share it with me. Tanya Kappo, former Co-Chair Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission Jeffrey Copenace, former National Co-Chair, Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission: During last summer’s AFN election for National Chief, a young security guard at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre did not recognize Elijah Harper and would not let him into the assembly without proper identification. Elijah never protested, but a number of Chiefs and delegates witnessed the situation and finally convinced the young security guard to let Elijah in. When I saw Elijah later that day sitting on a bench, I teased him, “I heard they wouldn’t let you in!” He just smiled and said “everything worked out”. I kept teasing him. I asked him “Did you say – don’t you know who I am?!” Elijah just laughed and replied “He was young. He didn’t know me”. I couldn’t help it and kept teasing “Did you tell him to read a history book?!” Elijah just smiled. He was so modest and kind. He never wanted to embarrass anyone. And he never thought of himself as more important than anyone. Jeffrey Copenace, former Co-Chair Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission *Note 1: The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of and/or official policy of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission and/or the Liberal Party of Canada* *Note 2: The blog was published in the language it was received*