Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis girl identified for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87.
Venne, born in Lamont, Alta., was one of many first appointees to Alberta’s Human Rights Fee in 1973 and later served as chair.
She based the Girls of the Métis Nation in addition to Esquao, the Institute for the Development of Aboriginal Girls. She additionally created programming for the Métis Nation of Alberta earlier than serving as provincial vice chairman from 2008 to 2012.
“Muriel devoted her life to advancing the rights and well-being of Métis and different Indigenous peoples,” reads a web based tribute to Venne made by the Métis Nation of Alberta.
“By her exceptional management, she reworked advocacy into motion, creating lasting change in employment, schooling and justice.”
Provincial constructing in west Edmonton named after Muriel Stanley Venne. Oct. 25, 2017.
Brad Gowan, World Information
In 2017, Venne had a provincial authorities constructing named after her in Edmonton. It was the primary time a provincial constructing was named after an Indigenous girl in Alberta.
In an announcement, the Girls of the Métis Nation, also called Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, mentioned Venne was an inspiration to many Indigenous ladies.
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It mentioned her advocacy work for lacking and murdered Indigenous ladies and women was a catalyst for change within the justice system, as was her advocacy for Cindy Gladue.
In 2011, Gladue was discovered lifeless in a lodge toilet. Ontario truck driver Bradley Barton was initially charged with homicide however was discovered not responsible in 2015.
Barton was discovered responsible in 2021 of manslaughter, however the preliminary trial drew outrage as Gladue was repeatedly known as a “prostitute” and “native” all through proceedings.
“She introduced consideration to incidents of discrimination, corresponding to within the case of Cindy Gladue, as emblematic of the broader mistreatment of Indigenous ladies inside the felony justice system,” the Girls of the Métis Nation assertion mentioned.
“Her work in justice profoundly influenced how Canadian legislation and the felony justice system reply to systemic violence in opposition to Indigenous ladies.”
Girls of the Métis Nation president Melanie Omeniho mentioned within the assertion that Venne’s legacy will keep it up for generations to come back.
“She was a real present to us all, and her presence will likely be deeply missed by everybody who had the privilege of realizing her,” Omeniho mentioned.
Venne was the recipient of quite a few accolades all through her life.
She was awarded the Alberta Human Rights Award in 1998 and, in 2005, was the primary Métis individual to obtain the Order of Canada.
She was named to Alberta’s Order of Excellence in 2019.
In an announcement Monday, Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson mentioned the province “misplaced a guiding gentle” with Venne’s passing.
“Muriel leaves behind a long-lasting legacy of advocating for the rights of Indigenous ladies and other people,” Wilson mentioned.
Venne ran as an NDP candidate within the 2012 provincial election, and the social gathering mentioned on social media Friday that “her life was an inspirational mannequin of management, and her legacy is profound.”
“She made an actual distinction in lots of lives,” mentioned then NDP-leader and former Alberta cupboard minister Brian Mason on social media.
“Her checklist of accomplishments and awards might take pages.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
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