Elijah Harper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elijah Harper OM
Elijah Harper with Menno Wiebe, 1990
Member of Parliament for Churchill
In office 1993–1997
Preceded by	Rod Murphy
Succeeded by	Bev Desjarlais
Manitoba Minister of Northern Affairs
In office February 4, 1987 – May 9, 1988
Premier	Howard Pawley
Preceded by	Harry Harapiak
Succeeded by	Jim Downey
Manitoba Minister without Portfolio
In office April 17, 1986 – February 4, 1987
Premier	Howard Pawley
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Rupertsland
In office November 17, 1981 – November 30, 1992
Preceded by	Harvey Bostrom
Succeeded by	Eric Robinson
Personal details
Born	(1949-03-03)March 3, 1949 Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba
Died	May 17, 2013(2013-05-17) (aged 64) Ottawa, Ontario
Political party	Manitoba New Democratic Party (1981–1993) Liberal Party of Canada (1993–2013)
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Manitoba

Elijah Harper (March 3, 1949 – May 17, 2013) was an important Oji-Cree politician from Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (MLA) from 1981 to 1992. Later, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1993 to 1997. Harper was the chief of the Red Sucker Lake Indian Band for four years. He is best known for his key role in stopping the Meech Lake Accord. This was a proposed change to the Canadian constitution.

Who Was Elijah Harper?

Elijah Harper was born in Red Sucker Lake. This is a reserve in northern Manitoba. As a child, he attended residential schools. These were schools for Indigenous children in Canada. He went to schools in Norway House, Brandon, and Birtle, Manitoba. He also went to high school in Garden Hill and Winnipeg.

After high school, he studied at the University of Manitoba. He worked to help communities develop. He also worked for the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood. This group supports Indigenous people. Later, he became a program analyst for the Manitoba Department of Northern Affairs.

Early Political Steps

In 1978, Elijah Harper was elected Chief of the Red Sucker Lake Band. This is now known as the Red Sucker Lake First Nation. He served as Chief for four years.

In 1981, Harper ran for a seat in the Manitoba legislature. He won the election in the large northern area called Rupertsland. He became the first Treaty Indian to be elected as a provincial politician. A Treaty Indian is a First Nations person whose ancestors signed a treaty with the Crown.

He was re-elected in 1986. On April 17, 1986, he joined the provincial government's cabinet. He became a Minister without Portfolio. This meant he was responsible for Native Affairs. In 1987, he became the Minister of Northern Affairs. He also oversaw the Communities Economic Fund Act. He served in these roles until the government changed in 1988. He was elected again in 1988.

Standing Up for First Nations: The Meech Lake Accord

In 1990, Elijah Harper became famous across Canada. This was because he refused to accept the Meech Lake Accord. This Accord was a plan to change Canada's constitution. It was meant to get Quebec to agree to the Constitution Act, 1982.

Why Harper Opposed the Accord

The rules of the Manitoba legislature required everyone to agree. This was needed to discuss the Accord quickly. Harper was upset because the Accord was created in 1987. But First Nations people were not included in the talks.

He explained his reasons:

Well I was opposed to the Meech Lake Accord because we weren't included in the Constitution. We were to recognize Quebec as a distinct society, whereas we as Aboriginal people were completely left out. We were the First Peoples here - First Nations of Canada - we were the ones that made treaties with the settlers that came from Europe. These settler people and their governments didn't recognize us as a Nation, as a government and that is why we opposed the Meech Lake Accord.

His Powerful Stand

There were only twelve days left for the Accord to be approved. Every day, the Manitoba government asked for everyone's agreement. This would allow them to vote on the Accord. But each day, Harper said no. He held an eagle feather as he did this. Because he said no, the Accord could not be discussed or voted on.

As a result, the premier of Newfoundland, Clyde Wells, also stopped a vote on the Accord. Since the Meech Lake Accord did not pass in Manitoba and Newfoundland, it failed. The Canadian constitution was not changed.

Awards and Recognition

In the same year, Harper received the Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award. He was also named "Newsmaker of the Year in Canada" by the Canadian Press. The Red Sucker Lake First Nation gave him the title of Honorary Chief for Life. He also received a special medal from the governor general. This was for his public service work. Harper also spoke out against the Charlottetown Accord in 1992.

From Provincial to Federal Politics

On November 30, 1992, Elijah Harper left the Manitoba legislature. He planned to run in the federal election in 1993. He first wanted to join the federal New Democratic Party. But the party leaders did not support him.

After looking at offers from different parties, Harper joined the Liberal Party in 1993. He said that changing parties did not change his goals. He wanted to represent Indigenous interests in Parliament. His decision was debated by some. Many of his old friends disagreed with him. Some Liberals from Quebec were also unsure. They remembered that he had stopped the Meech Lake Accord.

Serving in Parliament

In the 1993 election, Harper won against Rod Murphy. He became a Member of Parliament. He was part of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Aboriginal Affairs. This committee works on issues important to Indigenous people.

He ran for re-election in 1997 but was defeated by Bev Desjarlais. He ran again in 2000 but lost once more.

Later Work

On January 21, 1999, Elijah Harper was appointed commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission. This group helps resolve land claims by Indigenous peoples. He continued to be a popular speaker until his death.

Legacy and Impact

Elijah Harper received several awards for his work. In 1991, he got the Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award. In 1996, he received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. This award is now called the Indspire Awards.

A film about Harper's life was made in 2007. It focused on June 1990, when he blocked the Meech Lake Accord. The film is called Elijah. It was shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival. The film was made for the CTV Television Network. Billy Merasty played Elijah Harper in the movie.

Personal Life and Passing

Elijah Harper faced some personal challenges. He also had health issues. On May 17, 2013, he passed away in Ottawa. He died from heart failure due to complications from diabetes.

Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, spoke about Harper. He said, "It is always very difficult to go against the wind, and to stand up straight and say no when the easier path is to give in and go in the direction of the wind. I will always remember the image of Elijah Harper's courage and determination and his profound conviction."

On May 20, 2013, Harper's casket was draped with the flag of Manitoba. He lay in state at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg. Hundreds of people came to pay their respects. A funeral service was held later that day. Harper was buried in his home community of Red Sucker Lake First Nation.

Electoral history

Images for kids

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  Elijah Harper with Menno Wiebe, 1990

See also

In Spanish: Elijah Harper para niños