Remembering District Captain Amber Boyd

Press Release

Jan 19, 2026

It is with immense sorrow that we announce the passing of Amber Boyd, District Captain for the Rocky View Métis District. District Captain Amber Boyd served her Citizens with unwavering commitment, guided by a deep belief in self-determination. She approached her role with both resolve and compassion, consistently prioritizing the needs of her District while being a fierce advocate for her community.

Beyond her role as District Captain, Amber was an exceptionally talented artist who approached her work with care and intention. That same spirit carried into her leadership as District Captain, shaping her conviction that our Citizens deserve systems grounded in thoughtfulness, fairness, and dignity.“Since being elected as District Captain in September 2023, Amber worked tirelessly to support the Citizens of the Rocky View Métis District. She was a force, a leader, an artist, a storyteller and she cared deeply for our Nation and the Citizens we serve. At the same time, she was incredibly proud to be Métis and loved sharing our culture. I am deeply grateful for all she has done to strengthen our Nation and I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends and community.” – Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government

Amber lived with her family in Cochrane, Alberta, and carried with her the strength of her family names: Cariou, Beaulieu, Hamelin, Gariepy, and Vandal. Long before her election, Amber dedicated her life to advancing Indigenous peoples through leadership, advocacy, and service. In her professional career, she served as an Executive Director of a national charity supporting Indigenous students and held several senior executive and board of directors’ roles, always guided by a commitment to equity, opportunity, and Indigenous self-determination. A gifted writer and artist, Amber believed deeply in the power of storytelling and creation. Her legacy lives on through her impact, her art, her books, and the family and communities she loved so deeply.

Captain Boyd will be deeply missed and will be remembered with profound gratitude, respect, and appreciation.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, January 25, 2026 in Cochrane, AB in the Legacy Hall of the Cochrane Lions Club and Event Centre (109 5th Ave, Cochrane, AB T4C 0A4). Further information can be found here: Obituary information for Amber Dawn Boyd (nee MacPherson)

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