In brief
The discovery of potential remains belonging to two Indigenous women in Manitoba's Prairie Green Landfill has intensified efforts to confront the growing violence against Indigenous people in Canada, shedding light on serious systemic issues.
Empty lineAuthorities in Manitoba have announced a significant breakthrough in their investigation into the violent murders of Indigenous women, as searches at the Prairie Green Landfill near Winnipeg revealed possible remains linked to two victims. This development has reignited the public discourse on the alarming epidemic of violence targeting Indigenous women across the country. The remains potentially belong to Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, two women tragically murdered by serial killer Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki between March and May 2022. After being arrested later that year, Skibicki was sentenced to 25 years in prison without parole for the murders of Harris, Myran, and two other women, highlighting the urgency of addressing systemic racism and misogyny within Canadian society.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been notified following the discovery, and victims' families were informed and granted access to the site. Harris and Myran hailed from Long Plain First Nation, and their loved ones have long campaigned for a thorough search of the landfill, initially resisted by the Canadian government due to logistical concerns and costs.The Indigenous women and girls of Canada face a homicide rate over six times that of their non-Indigenous counterparts, a shocking statistic that underscores the ongoing crisis. Cambria Harris, daughter of Morgan Harris, has been an outspoken advocate for the return of her mother and Myran’s remains, requesting privacy during this painful period for her family. This development serves not only as a critical investigative advancement but also as a call to action for the Canadian public and policymakers alike to address the horrific trend of violence against Indigenous women and to reform the systems that perpetuate these injustices.
