Who is Elijah Harper and what was his role in Canada's constitutional process?
Elijah Harper was a Canadian politician and First Nations leader from Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and later a Member of Parliament.
Harper is most famously known for his role in the Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional agreement that sought to amend the Canadian Constitution to recognize Quebec as a distinct society. Harper made history by using his veto power as a Member of the Manitoba Legislature to block the accord from being ratified, arguing that it did not adequately recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Harper's actions ultimately led to the downfall of the Meech Lake Accord and highlighted the importance of Indigenous rights in the Canadian constitutional process. He is widely regarded as a hero for Indigenous rights in Canada.