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Elijah Harper

Elijah Harper impacted many lives while he was the Minister of Northern Affairs. One of the most significant moments in his life, was when he stood up against the Meech Lake Accord. The Meech Lake Accord was an amendment that Brian Mulroney tried to negotiate in 1987. It was created to try and persuade the government of Quebec to approve of the 1982 Constitutional Act. All decisions and agreements about the passing of the Meech Lake Accord was done by First Ministers. All First Nations, as well as other minorities, were excluded from the discussions (Gall, 2014). By June 1990, the majority voted to reject the Meech Lake Accord. After many negotiations, it was left to the decision of Manitoba and Newfoundland. This is where Elijah Harper took his stand. The Manitoba premier, Gary Filmon, needed all MLAs to give their consent. Elijah Harper refused to participate 8 times, as the First Nations had not been consulted and it did not guarantee rights to the Aboriginals. On the day of decision making, Elijah Harper raised a single eagle feather and declares that he would not approve of the Accord. Shortly after witnessing this act, the Newfoundland premier also refuses to take a vote, thus, eradicating the Meech Lake Accord (Gall, 2014).

This has impacted the community and the country, for all First Nations. With Elijah Harper standing up for what is right, it shines a new light on all the Aboriginals. His stand has given them the chance to have a voice in all matters. Canada learned that the Aboriginals (represented by Elijah Harper), are important as well, and their decision counts. With the abolished Meech Lake Accord, Aboriginals continue to be left with rights that may not have been secured if the accord was approved.

Work Citations

Admin. (2013, May 29). Elijah Harper: March 3, 1949 - May 18, 2013 http://www.firstnationsdrum.com/2013/05/elijah-harper-march-3-1949-may-17-2013/

Gall, G. (2014, December 11). Meech Lake Accord. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/meech-lake-accord/

Marshall, T. (2014, September 30). Elijah Harper. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/elijah-harper/

Rabson, M. (2013, May 17). Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Aboriginal-leader-Elijah-Harper-dies-207866311.html

The Canadian Press. (2013, May 17). Meech Lake-linked Cree leader Elijah Harper dies at 64. http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/meech-lake-linked-cree-leader-elijah-harper-dies-at-64-1.1286039#

"Elijah Harper was the first public figure who made me proud to be indigenous," tweeted Waubgeshig Rice, one of many who voiced their regard online. "Journey well." (The Canadian Press, 2013)

"He's very relevant for our people and a legend amongst our people. The communities everywhere still look up to him immensely. We still have a lot of tremendous respect for him in every way." (The Canadian Press, 2013)

Legacy

"Elijah's drive and actions toward reconciliation will continue to be a legacy for First Nations and all Canadians as we move toward improved and renewed relationships."(The Canadian Press, 2013)

Elijah Harper lived a life that helped change history. With his work in helping Aboriginals and other minorities around the world, he created a thought that we are all equal. His stand at the Meech Lake Accord will continue to be one of the most inspiring moments for all Aboriginals. The hope is that people will try and continue what Elijah Harper did. To fight for what is right, and to create a world where equality is possible. Harper to this day, is still one of the most well-respected Aboriginal leaders (Rabson, 2013).

Harper's Perspective

“Mr. Harper [was] an inspiring positive role model for indigenous people here in Canada and around the globe,” said Grand Chief Derek Nepinak (Admin, 2013). Elijah Harper was a man that wanted to support all Aborginals. His thoughts were that Aboriginals deserved to treated fairly and with respect. During his stay in Federal politics, Harper tried his best to work in humanitarian aid, and expressed his involvement in helping others and expanding Aboriginal's horizons (Marshall, 2014). Elijah respected Canada as a whole, but knew that there were many prejudice problems (The Canadian Press, 2013). After Elijah grew up in a residential school, it impacted the way he saw Canada. The generation of Aboriginals that went through the same thing, suffered greatly, and continued to suffer despite the years that have gone by. It was Elijah's goal to help make Canada a better place in general.

2:32 - 3:45 (Elijah's part)

http://wherearethechildren.ca/en

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Manitoba

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/elijah-harper-key-player-in-meech-lake-accord-dies-at-64-1.1316388

Early Life

Relationships with others

Elijah Harper was an inspiration to First Nations across Canada. "Elijah's commitment and dedication to asserting and upholding First Nations rights and recognition has helped lay the foundation as this hard work continues today." said Shawn Atleo, chief of the Assembly of First Nations (The Canadian Press, 2013). His devotion to the Aboriginal issues allowed him to be seen as a true leader. Many people looked up to him, as a hero that stood up for what is right. Elijah Harper has not only inspired Aboriginals but other minorities as well. With Harper standing up, he has given a chance to all the other minorities to decide that it's time they have a say as well. Harpers relationships with others is one that is very connected and healthy. Many people can depend on him, and they believe that he can change Canada for the better.

Harper was born on the Red Sucker Lake reserve in 1949. This was an Oji-Cree community located in Northern Manitoba. Similar to many other Aboriginal children, Harper was removed from his family and sent to a residential school in Manitoba (Marshall, 2014). This may have been the reason behind Harper’s push to help the First Nation communities. With the mistreatment of all the other Aboriginals in residential schools, he may have been triggered to change the ways of Canada. Aboriginals deserved fair treatment, instead of the abuse they had to live through as a child. In the early 1970s, he attended the University of Manitoba where he graduated and proceeded to become a social development worker (Marshall, 2014).

http://www.nationmedia.ca/elijahharper/bio.html

Facts

  • Born March 3rd, 1949 at Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba
  • Cree
  • Educated at a residential school in Manitoba
  • Chief of Red Sucker Lake Nation at age 29
  • 1981, elected as Member of Legislative Assembly for the Rupertsland constituency for 11 years
  • 1987, Minister of Northern Affairs
  • 1990, blocked the Canadian constitutional amendment the ‘Meech Lake Accord’
  • 1990, won the Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award
  • Resigned from Legislative Assembly in 1992
  • 1993 - 1997 Was a member of Parliament for the Churchill constituency
  • Passed away on May 17th, 2013

http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/hd-harper-e

http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=57141

Significant Moments

Meech Lake Accord

Cici Liu

Mrs. Macdonald

Feb 23/2015

NDA3M

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/when-harper-spoke-it-was-wise-to-listen-208618511.html

http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/uw-news-action/story.56/title.elijah-harper-on-campus

http://www.lawsocietygazette.ca/news/forum-offers-insight-on-aboriginal-economic-development/

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