Rekindled hope has swept through the families of two missing First Nations women, believed to be interred at a Winnipeg-area landfill. This follows a favourable political shift in Manitoba and the pledge from the federal government to devote $740,000 towards evaluating the possible scope of a search.
“There has been countless disappointment and numerous instances where we felt defeated, yet we clung on to hope,” shared Melissa Robinson, the cousin to Morgan Harris, who at 39-years-old is one of the lost women. “Now, hope is blooming once again and the flame of resolve has been reignited.”
The minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Gary Anandasangaree, stated in Ottawa that further research is imperative to formulate a strategic plan to locate the remains of Harris and Marcedes Myran, supposedly dumped at the Prairie Green Landfill situated north of Winnipeg.
Jeremy Skibicki stands accused of first-degree murder in the deaths of Harris, Myran, along with Rebecca Contois and an unidentified Indigenous woman known locally as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe or Buffalo Woman. Partial remains of Contois were discovered in a separate landfill last year.
An initial feasibility study, funded by the federal government, concluded that a search could be conducted, although it could expose workers to toxic materials. This indicating a need for more problem-solving, according to Anandasangaree.
The proposed funds are intended for the Long Plain First Nation, located about 100 kilometers west of Winnipeg, which is the home of Harris and Myran. These funds will facilitate cooperation between the First Nation, experts, landfill proprietors, and different tiers of government to explore the potential means of performing a search.
Long Plain First Nation Chief, Kyra Wilson, said they had already started sketching a plan and that the funds would be used to outline and complete the preliminary steps necessary for the search. These include identifying personnel training, constructing facilities, procurement of equipment, and handling hazardous, toxic, and biohazardous waste.
Describing the journey of the past 10 months as arduous, Wilson said, “We have spent a considerable amount of time pushing for the approval of this search. Finally, the federal government is taking the next step towards conducting a search in the landfill.”
The ills surrounding the search morphed into a heated political issue which created divisions during Manitoba’s provincial election. However, the victory of the New Democrats and Leader Wab Kinew promises a renewed initiative towards the search. Conversely, Heather Stefanson, the Tory leader, drew attention to her campaign refusal to support the landfill search due to safety concerns.
Cindy Woodhouse, Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief, called this new political phase indicative of the end of ‘dark politics’ and cited the positive discussions forged with the federal government. She remains optimistic about the province joining in their efforts soon.
Anandasangaree further reassured the government’s determination to collaborate with the community on this critical issue but did not guarantee the full allocation of the estimated $184 million search cost.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed this commitment to partnership, describing it as an ‘important step toward reconciliation’.
For Robinson and her family, this journey signifies a victory, albeit a long-awaited one. After months of relentless efforts and numerous discussions with governmental entities about their expectations, they remain hopeful that the search will commence early 2024 and last approximately a year.
“Just a fragment, that’s all we request,” she shared, “Something, anything tangible of her presence, so we can give her the respectful burial she deserves.”
