By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Intitiative Reporter In the wake of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick’s sudden death, Westman First Nation leaders reacted with shock and disbelief. Chief Vincent Tacan of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation had a unique relationship with Merrick. His nephew was married to her, he said. And her leadership built a bridge for his people this year, leading the band to rejoin the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “She had a message of hope,” Tacan told the Sun on Friday. “It’s going to be difficult going forward with her passing. I was shocked to hear that today.” The band had left the AMC more than a decade ago after the handling of a casino development in southwestern Manitoba caused a rift between the two organizations. Earlier this year,…
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