Cathy Merrick to lie in state at Manitoba Legislature Wednesday, a rare 'very special event'

The body of late Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick will lie in state at Manitoba's legislative building on Wednesday, a practice the province's former chief of protocol calls a rare honour.

"It is a very special event for those that, you know, the government feels should be recognized as such," said Dwight MacAulay, who spent almost 20 years as chief of protocol, from 1998 to 2017.

MacAulay recalls only one person given that honour in Manitoba during his time as chief protocol officer — Elijah Harper, who died in 2013.

For Harper, the casket was draped with the Canadian flag and there was a roped-off area where people could walk by.

"It's a very special event and obviously the premier and the government feels Ms. Merrick was certainly worthy of something like this," MacAulay said.

Merrick, 63, died suddenly on Friday. She was speaking to reporters outside of Winnipeg's law courts that afternoon when she collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

Premier Wab Kinew said on Saturday that Merrick's family and community have been given permission for her to lie in state, to allow the public to pay their respects, since not everyone will be able to attend the funeral in Pimicikamak, about 520 kilometres north of Winnipeg, on Saturday.

Members of the public can sign a book of condolences in the legislative building, at the base of the grand staircase, starting Tuesday from noon until 8 p.m. and throughout the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs will have tributes to honour Merrick's life and legacy throughout the week, an AMC social media post said Monday. A candlelight vigil will be held outside the Winnipeg courthouse on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT.

The AMC is planning a sunrise ceremony at the Forks in Winnipeg on Wednesday at 6:30 a.m.

Merrick's body will arrive at the legislative building at 10 a.m. and a public viewing will take place on the second floor from noon to 5 p.m. The province said photography will be prohibited in the ceremonial room where the lying in state will take place. 

Merick's body will then leave the legislative building for a wake service from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the RBC Convention Centre.

Merick's body will return to her home community of Pimicikamak Cree Nation (also known as Cross Lake) and a wake service will take place at the community's arena on Thursday and Friday. 

A last public and family viewing will take place in the community on Saturday, ahead of the funeral service interment at the Cross Lake Cemetery.