A monumental search effort is underway at a Winnipeg landfill, marking a critical yet emotionally charged step in the quest to bring some measure of closure to the families of Indigenous women murdered by a convicted serial killer. On Monday, trucks began the daunting process of transporting excavated waste that may contain the remains of two of Jeremy Skibicki’s victims to a purpose-built facility for meticulous sifting.
The unprecedented undertaking, spearheaded by Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, aims to recover the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, two of the four Indigenous women Skibicki was convicted of killing in what the judge described as “jarring and numbing” murders. The other victims were Rebecca Contois, whose partial remains were found in a dumpster near the killer’s home, and an unidentified woman named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman) by Indigenous leaders.
A Daunting Task and a Glimmer of Hope
The immense scope of the search is staggering, requiring the sifting of nearly 20,300 cubic meters of material by hand and with rakes. To facilitate this intensive process, new infrastructure was built at the Prairie Green landfill, including power lines, roads, parking lots, and changing facilities for the search teams. A massive heated steel building was also constructed to allow the meticulous sifting to continue even as outside temperatures plummet below -20°C.
While acknowledging the uncertainty of the outcome, Premier Kinew expressed a glimmer of hope:
We can say with confidence that we have a chance for this search to succeed. No matter what lies ahead, we can say we tried and we made the effort for these families.
Indigenous Representation and Expertise
The search team of 45 technicians includes Indigenous representation, with half of the members being of Indigenous background. The diverse expertise ranges from family liaisons and a forensic anthropologist to a health and safety officer and a director of operations. This inclusive approach aims to ensure cultural sensitivity and community engagement throughout the emotionally taxing process.
Overcoming Obstacles and Pursuing Justice
The landfill search marks a significant shift from the initial reluctance of police and the previous government to undertake such an effort. Premier Kinew, who made the search a priority during his 2023 campaign, stressed that the excuses given for inaction had been “systematically disproven.” The families’ unwavering advocacy and the new administration’s commitment have been instrumental in overcoming the obstacles and making the search a reality.
A Solemn Anniversary and a Symbol of Resilience
The commencement of the landfill search coincides with a somber milestone—the two-year anniversary of the day the Harris family learned of Morgan’s likely resting place. Premier Kinew spent time with the Harris and Myran families in ceremony and witnessed the first truckload of excavated material being transported to the search facility. The red dresses hung on the landfill fences serve as a poignant symbol of the missing and murdered Indigenous women and the community’s resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
The Long Road Ahead
As the search teams brace themselves for the emotionally and physically demanding task ahead, there is a shared recognition that this is just one step in a long journey towards justice and healing. The coming months will be challenging, with no guarantees of a swift resolution. However, the unwavering commitment of the families, the search teams, and the Manitoba government to see this through offers a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
We stood with them in ceremony, and this morning, I was there with two family members as we watched the first blue truck of landfill material come down to the search facility. It is an intense emotion that you feel, standing on that site with those families.
– Premier Wab Kinew
The path forward will undoubtedly be arduous, but the determination to bring Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran home and to honor the memory of all the Indigenous women stolen by violence remains unshakable. As the search unfolds and the nation watches, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the systemic issues that have allowed such atrocities to occur and to work towards a future where Indigenous women can live free from the specter of violence and where their lives are valued and protected.
