|
Elijah Harper Elijah Harper was born at Red Sucker Lake in northern Manitoba. Elijah was the second of thirteen children, and was brought up by his grandparents. He completed high school in Winnipeg, and later earned a degree in anthropology at the University of Manitoba. In his early thirties, he was elected chief of Red Sucker Lake, and served in this capacity for three years. After this term of office, he was nominated by the New Democratic Party, and elected to the Manitoba Legislature. As a representative of the New Democrats with the Manitoba Legislature, Elijah had the reputation of being very quiet. He came to be known publicly as a representative of the Native people when he firmly, yet calmly, declared his stand against the Meech Lake accord. Since that time, Elijah Harper has become a leading figure in the plight of Native people across Canada, demanding equal justice, and better lives. The feather often seen in his hand is a symbol of the exalted human spirit, which Elijah works every day to keep alive among his people.
"Elijah Harper has made me extra proud of my Native heritage and shown me how to hold onto and never give up what belonged to the First Nations people of Canada. The sacredness of our beliefs and customs should never be changed because those are given to us by our Creator. The young generation of today will remember the great move made by Elijah Harper in generations to come."
|