Hundreds turn out to pay respect to Elijah Harper

Hundreds of people lined up inside the legislature Monday afternoon to pay their respects to Elijah Harper, the Manitoba politician who blocked the Meech Lake constitutional accord in 1990 inside that same building.

Harper’s body is lying in state inside the legislature; his open casket was draped with a Manitoba flag and a chief’s headdress.

“He worked tirelessly as an advocate; to give voice to our needs and to help cope with suppression. To give us courage to move forward in spite of racism, marginalization, classism and everything else that works against us,” said his wife, Anita Olsen Harper.

“I’d like people to remember him as a man who had the courage to stand up for what he believed in,” she said.

Harper served as an inspiration for Canadian aboriginals and those who knew he best said his quiet yet powerful voice will forever be remembered.

“He was a man of tremendous humility, tremendous love for his family, this community and his people. I don’t think you can ask for much more in a leader,” said Grand Elder Raymond Robinson.

Harper’s body was transported to Winnipeg to lie in state at the same place he made his most politically defining mark.

“His simple statement of saying no at a critical time and process preserved for the next generation of leadership the opportunity to create some form of constitutional certainty for indigenous people,” said Grand Chief Derek Nepinak.

Harper died on Friday at the age of 64.

With files from The Canadian Press.