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Authorities in Canada have confirmed the identity of a second woman whose remains were discovered at a landfill near Winnipeg, a tragic revelation related to a series of murders targeting Indigenous women. This investigation has revealed a pattern of violence and the ongoing struggle for justice for Indigenous communities.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Manitoba announced that the remains found in the Prairie Green Landfill belong to 26-year-old Marcedes Myran. The young woman was reported missing in 2022 and was a member of the Long Plain First Nation. Following her murder by Jeremy Skibicki, who was sentenced to life in prison for multiple murders, Myran’s family has been informed, and the government has urged the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
In a related case, authorities had previously identified another set of remains in the same landfill as belonging to Morgan Harris, 39 years old. This identification was part of a larger investigation that has unearthed the grim reality of violence against Indigenous women in Canada.
The decision to search the landfill came after a controversial turn of events. Initially, local officials deemed the excavation too costly, despite community outrage expressing disbelief over this assertion. After further pressure and public advocacy, a comprehensive search operation was launched in December 2023, revealing layers of buried evidence.
The remains of a third victim, Rebecca Contois from Crane River First Nation, were found in a dumpster near Skibicki’s residence in 2022, further highlighting the scope of the investigation. Authorities are concurrently seeking to recover the remains of Skibicki’s fourth victim, whose identity remains unknown, dubbed Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe or Buffalo Woman.
Families of the victims have expressed frustration over how authorities initially handled the situation. Cambria Harris, daughter of Morgan Harris, stated that discussions regarding the feasibility of locating the remains should not overshadow the urgency and humanity involved in finding the victims. After speaking with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, she emphasized the importance of bringing her mother and other women home.
Heather Stefanson, the former Premier of Manitoba, defended the earlier decision against searching the landfill, describing the situation as tragic but suggesting the government had to make judicious choices. She asserted that the process was too hazardous and expensive; however, this view was met with significant opposition from various community leaders and Indigenous advocates.
The issue gained political traction leading up to the provincial elections in 2023. Wab Kinew, leader of the New Democratic Party, made the search of the landfill a central part of his campaign, ultimately leading his party to a victory and the provincial government promising significant funding for the search efforts.
Since the initiation of the excavation, extensive measures have been taken to ensure effective recovery of remains, including constructing a large heated facility to facilitate the manual sorting of debris during harsh winter conditions. Of the specialists engaged in the search, half are Indigenous, reflecting an inclusive approach to the sensitive nature of this investigation.
Kinew emphasized the search’s significance as a national effort, stating, “The effort itself is a microcosm of where we’re at as a country … people from different walks of life coming together to try to do the right thing for these families.” This case continues to shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Canada and highlights the urgent need for societal and systemic change.
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www.theguardian.com