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Miles Morrisseau
ICT

After more than a year of study the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs presented their plan to search the landfill near Winnipeg, Manitoba for the remains of Indigenous women targeted by an alleged serial killer. AMC along with family members of the victims held a press conference on January 25 to announce that they had submitted their report to all three levels of government, the city of Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba and the government of Canada. Supported by chiefs and members of the victims families, AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick called on all levels of government to take action.

“We expect that the findings in this report will expedite the funding required to begin the search and recovery operation for Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and Buffalo Woman. The report underscores the importance of federal and provincial support and initiating the search and recovery this year,” said Merrick. “There’s no room for compromise here. We insist on a meeting involving all three levels of government and we won’t accept anything less.”

The grand chief also demanded to be involved in all funding decisions related to the search. “I am putting on the record today that the expectation moving forward is that as the grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and the political advocacy organization leading this work, I am present in any and all funding related meetings and discussions. It is time to cut through the bureaucracy.”

In July 2023, a camp was set up on the grounds of the Canadian Human Rights Museum by supporters and family members who were demanding that a search of the Prairie Green Landfill be conducted. The camp was named Camp Marcedes after Marcedes Myran who along with others were victims of an alleged serial killer that targeted Indigenous women. Another camp, Camp Morgan, in honor of Morgan Harris has been set up for over a year outside the Brady Landfill. (Miles Morrisseau, ICT) Credit: In July 2023, a camp was set up on the grounds of the Canadian Human Rights Museum by supporters and family members who were demanding that a search of the Prairie Green Landfill be conducted. The camp was named Camp Marcedes after Marcedes Myran who along with others were victims of an alleged serial killer that targeted Indigenous women. Another camp, Camp Morgan, in honor of Morgan Harris has been set up for over a year outside the Brady Landfill. (Miles Morrisseau, ICT)

Although the full report has not been released to the public, the grand chief outlined the basic plan for the search which would be led by the AMC with funding coming from the government. “We ask for a clear timeframe for funding commitments from the federal and provincial governments. No more delays. No more vague promises from the governments,” said Merrick. “After receiving funding. Our plan is clear – obtain the land, acquire the equipment, ensure our required permits are complete and then quickly build a facility for processing material found during the search and recovery process.”

Harris and Myran, both of the Long Plain First Nation, along with an unknown victim, given the name Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman), are all believed to have been killed by an alleged serial killer who dumped their remains in Winnipeg landfills. The remains of another victim Rebecca Contois, Crane River First Nation, were found at the Brady Landfill. It is believed that the remains of Harris and Myran are in the Prairie Green Landfill and that is where the proposed search will take place.

The grand chief credited the family members for their support and strength. “The unwavering determination of the Harris and Myron families have been the driving force behind this journey from the start. And we are so thankful for their resilience through this process, they never should have had to bear. We deeply thank the families for the countless hours they have sacrificed to lead and guide this work.

Donna Bartlett, grandmother of Marcedes Myran, remains convinced that the reason a search is not underway for her granddaughter is racism. “We shouldn’t be fighting to find our women, to bring them home. We shouldn’t be begging every day, all through the year. We shouldn’t have to. Why do we have to do this?,” Bartlett asked and then provided the answer to her own question. “If we weren’t First Nation people, I’m pretty damn sure they’d be looking real quick. I know. Nobody ever wants to let that come into the news. But I said it all the time. If we were White, they would be looking.”

Credit: The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick along with members of the women's council and family members held a press conference on January 24, 2024 to announce that their plan to search the landfill had been completed. Indigenous women targeted by an alleged serial killer are believed to be in a landfill based on evidence the police have had for over a year. (Photos courtesy of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs)

Chief Shirley Ducharme, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, is a member of the AMC’s women’s council, and she says the families carry a heavy burden when loved ones go missing. “The children that are left behind, the grandchildren and the grandmothers, I can feel that in my heart today,” said Ducharme. “How much they have carried to this day not knowing where their loved one is.”

The provincial New Democratic Party led by Wab Kinew, Anishinaabe, came to power in October on a campaign in which the landfill search became a central issue. Nahanni Fontaine, Sagkeeng Anishinabe First Nation is Minister of Families, Minister responsible for Accessibility, Minister responsible for Gender Equity for the provincial government. “Our government has been clear about our commitment to search the landfill,” Fontaine tells ICT. “We have received AMC’s proposal and will be reviewing it. The next step will be to work with the families on a strong path forward that delivers on our commitment.”

The federal government which will likely foot the majority of the bill for the plan also received the proposal with a promise to move forward. Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree stated, “We are reviewing the report and will work with families, the province, Long Plain First Nation, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and other partners to move forward, in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive manner, to bring healing and closure for the families and communities. We expect to meet in the near future.”

Credit: In July 2023, a camp was set up on the grounds of the Canadian Human Rights Museum by supporters and family members who were demanding that a search of the Prairie Green Landfill be conducted. The camp was named Camp Marcedes after Marcedes Myran who along with others were victims of an alleged serial killer that targeted Indigenous women. Another camp, Camp Morgan, in honor of Morgan Harris has been set up for over a year outside the Brady Landfill. (Miles Morrisseau, ICT)
In July 2023, a camp was set up on the grounds of the Canadian Human Rights Museum by supporters and family members who were demanding that a search of the Prairie Green Landfill be conducted. The camp was named Camp Marcedes after Marcedes Myran who along with others were victims of an alleged serial killer that targeted Indigenous women. Another camp, Camp Morgan, in honor of Morgan Harris has been set up for over a year outside the Brady Landfill. (Miles Morrisseau, ICT) Credit: In July 2023, a camp was set up on the grounds of the Canadian Human Rights Museum by supporters and family members who were demanding that a search of the Prairie Green Landfill be conducted. The camp was named Camp Marcedes after Marcedes Myran who along with others were victims of an alleged serial killer that targeted Indigenous women. Another camp, Camp Morgan, in honor of Morgan Harris has been set up for over a year outside the Brady Landfill. (Miles Morrisseau, ICT)

The Minister also commented on how the issue extends beyond Winnipeg. “The ongoing national crisis in this country of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people going missing and being murdered at alarming rates must come to an end,” stated Anandasangaree.” No one knows this better than the families of those who are missing or were murdered. Our hearts are with the families on this pathway to justice and healing.”

The fast track plan would have funding in place to begin a search of the Prairie Green Landfill as soon as the weather warms and the snow begins to melt.

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Miles Morrisseau, Métis, is a special correspondent for ICT based in the historic Métis Community of Grand Rapids, Manitoba, Canada. He reported as the national Native Affairs broadcaster for CBC Radio...