In brief
Police in Manitoba have identified human remains from a landfill near Winnipeg as belonging to Morgan Beatrice Harris, an Indigenous woman and victim of a serial killer. The investigation has sparked renewed political scrutiny and discussions about the treatment of Indigenous women in the justice system, particularly in light of the previous handling of similar cases.
Police in Manitoba have announced that some human remains recovered from a landfill near Winnipeg last month belong to Morgan Beatrice Harris, one of four Indigenous women murdered by a serial killer. Harris, a member of the Long Plain First Nation, was 39 years old at the time of her death, with her case highlighting the plight of Indigenous women in Canada. Until now, only the remains of Rebecca Contois, 24, had been confirmed.Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki, convicted in late 2023 of the killings, is serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. His social media presence included white supremacist and misogynistic rhetoric, leading to heightened public outrage. The other two victims include Marcedes Myran, 26, and an unidentified woman referred to by First Nations elders as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman.The decision to search the Prairie Green Landfill became politically charged during the 2023 provincial elections, with the then-ruling Progressive Conservative party opposing the search, citing concerns over costs and potential risks to investigators. This stance drew criticism from Indigenous groups and activists, drawing parallels to the infamous case of serial killer Robert Pickton in British Columbia, where a massive investigation was conducted at his pig farm.The recent confirmation of Harris's remains was made by the New Democratic Party government, which had campaigned on the promise of exploring the landfill. Wab Kinew, the province's first Indigenous premier, expressed condolences to the families affected. Harris's daughter, Cabria, articulated her mixed feelings on social media, emphasizing the need for genuine action beyond political statements.In a recent session of Manitoba's legislature, the interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives, Wayne Ewasko, publicly apologized for the party's previous stance against the landfill search. However, Cabria Harris was quick to dismiss the apology as insincere, demanding tangible actions to restore faith and bring closure to the families of victims.As the investigation progresses, hopes linger for justice and acknowledgment for the Indigenous women who have suffered violence, amid a backdrop of political turmoil and societal scrutiny. Ian Austen reports this unfolding story from Ottawa, maintaining focus on not just the events, but the people impacted by them.
