Elijah Harper
Elijah Harper was a prominent Cree politician and advocate for Indigenous rights in Canada, born on March 3, 1949, in Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba. He was the second of thirteen children and received traditional education in hunting and trapping from his family, alongside attending residential schools, which he later criticized. Harper's political career began in 1981 when he was elected as a member of the New Democratic Party in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, representing Rupert's Land. He gained national attention in 1990 for his pivotal role in blocking the Meech Lake Accord, which many Indigenous leaders felt marginalized First Nations perspectives and rights.
In addition to his work in provincial politics, Harper served as a Member of Parliament for Churchill from 1993 to 1997 and organized a Sacred Assembly aimed at promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. This initiative contributed to the establishment of National Aboriginal Day, celebrated on June 21 annually. Harper's contributions were recognized through various honors, including being named Honourary Chief for Life by the Red Sucker Lake First Nation and receiving the Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award. He passed away on May 17, 2013, in Ottawa, leaving a legacy of dedication to Indigenous rights and empowerment.
Subject Terms
Elijah Harper
Politician
- Born: March 3, 1949
- Birthplace: Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba
- Died: May 17, 2013
- Place of death: Ottawa, Ontario
Contribution: Elijah Harper was an aboriginal Canadian politician and activist. A former member or the Parliament of Canada and commissioner for the Indian Claims Commission, he traveled widely as a public speaker, advocating aboriginal rights and understanding. Harper also participated in international conferences for peace and human rights, and played an instrumental role in blocking the Meech Lake Accord in 1990, a controversial constitutional amendment negotiated without aboriginal input.
Early Life & Education
Elijah Harper, the second of thirteen children, was born on March 3, 1949, to Allan and Ethel Harper, as part of the Cree tribe. As a child from Red Sucker Lake in Manitoba, Harper received a traditional education in hunting and trapping from his parents and grandparents. He also attended residential schools for First Nations children in Manitoba and Winnipeg, and would later speak out against these schools. The Red Sucker Lake Indian Band selected Harper as chief in 1978.
Political Career
After working in community development and serving as chief for three years, Harper began his political career in 1981. He was elected to the provincial Legislative Assembly for Rupert’s Land (now named Kewatinook) as a representative of the New Democratic Party, serving in this position for eleven years. Beginning in 1986, Harper joined the cabinet as minister without portfolio, responsible to native affairs, and was subsequently appointed minister of northern affairs.
In 1990, as a member of the opposition in the Manitoba Legislature, Harper was responsible for blocking the Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional amendment that recognized Quebec as a distinct and unique entity within the Canadian Federation. While the accord gave the provinces more power within the federal system, Canada’s aboriginal population argued that it recognized only the English and the French as founding nations, excluding Canada’s First Nations. They were also concerned that the accord would give greater authority over aboriginal matters to the province, further limiting their rights to self-governance.
Harper gained national prominence by acting to block the vote so that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba was unable to approve the accord. Consequently, Newfoundland also canceled a vote on the accord. Having failed to pass in both assemblies, the Meech Lake Accord ultimately did not become law.
In 1992, Harper resigned from the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. He was elected a member of parliament for Churchill in northern Manitoba in 1993, and served in that post until 1997.
Harper organized a Sacred Assembly to promote the interests of the aboriginal population in 1995. Its goal was to facilitate reconciliation between the First Nations and non-aboriginal peoples. Following the Sacred Assembly, the Canadian government established National Aboriginal Day, to be observed annually on June 21.
From January 1998 to October 2000, Harper served as commissioner for the Indian Claims Commission.
Harper was named Honourary Chief for Life by the Red Sucker Lake First Nation in 1990. He also received the Commemorative Medal of Canada and the Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award. In 2007, Elijah, a TV movie based on Harper’s life—focusing in particular on the Meech affair—won the Gemini award for best TV movie, and screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Personal Life
Harper married Elizabeth Ann Ross on September 23, 1972. They had five children together. He died of cardiac failure on May 17, 2013, in Ottawa.
Bibliography
Bergman, B. and B. Wallace. “Elijah Harper versus Meech.” Maclean’s 103.26 (June 1990): 12–15. Print.
Comeau, Pauline. Elijah: No Ordinary Hero. Vancouver: Douglas, 1993. Print.
Marshall, Tabitha. “Elijah Harper.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Canadian Encyclopedia, 2012. Web. 12 Aug. 2013.
Wagamese, Richard. “Elijah’s Influence Lives on in All of Us.” Windspeaker 31.3 (Jun. 2013): 6. Print.
Walsh, Mary Williams. “Elijah Harper Stands Out as a Chief among Canada’s Indians.” LATimes.com. Los Angeles Times, 4 Sept. 1990. Web. 12 Aug. 2013.