In Memory of Muriel Stanley Venne
Posted on: Dec 20, 2024
In Memory of Muriel Stanley Venne
With profound sadness and gratitude, we honour the life and legacy of Muriel Stanley Venne, a Métis Matriarch, lifelong advocate, and a guiding force in the fight for justice and equality. Her passing is a tremendous loss to the Métis Nation and all who were inspired by her.
Born in 1937 in Lamont and raised in Whitford, Alberta, Muriel devoted her life to advancing the rights and well-being of Métis and other Indigenous peoples. Through her remarkable leadership, she transformed advocacy into action, creating lasting change in employment, education, and justice. From her early work with our government, then known as the Métis Association of Alberta, to being elected as our Provincial Vice President, to founding the Women of the Métis Nation and later the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) in 1994, Muriel’s vision and courage paved the way for countless Indigenous women to rise as leaders. In 1973, she became one of the first seven commissioners appointed to the Alberta Human Rights Commission, where she later served as Chair.
Muriel’s exceptional contributions were recognized through numerous accolades, including her appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada—the first Métis woman to receive this honour—along with the Governor General’s Commemorative Award for the Persons Case, the Alberta Centennial Medal, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Justice and Human Rights, an Indspire Award, and others. The Muriel Stanley Venne Provincial Centre, named in her honour in 2017, stands as evidence to her enduring impact.
Muriel inspired generations of Métis women to find strength in their voices and pride in their heritage. She fought against systemic violence and discrimination, bringing national attention to the plight of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG2S+). Her unyielding advocacy for cases like Cindy Gladue’s challenged the criminal justice system to confront its failures and sparked critical conversations on human rights.
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government extends our deepest condolences to Muriel’s family, friends, and colleagues. May her legacy inspire us to continue the work she championed, ensuring that her vision for equality and justice lives on in the hearts and actions of future generations.