Manitoba landfill may become center of search for murder victims

The Prairie Green Landfill in Stony Mountain, Manitoba, is at that the center of a search for the lost bodies of two Indigenous Canadian women who were murdered in the Winnipeg, Manitoba, area. The landfill is operated by Waste Connections of Canada.

The Winnipeg City News reports that police believe the bodies of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran may be somewhere at the landfill.

To support efforts underway in Winnipeg by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the families of these victims, the Honourable Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Marc Miller has announced $500,000 in funding for the AMC to conduct a feasibility study evaluating the idea of searching the Prairie Green Landfill for the bodies.

“This funding will provide much needed resources to conduct a proper feasibility study for Prairie Green Landfill,” Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick says. “We anticipate that the work ahead will be emotionally and spiritually demanding for all involved, and as we continue to move forward at an expedient pace, we remind all those affected by this tragedy to ensure they are accessing the supports available.”

The money will help the AMC collaborate with families and survivors; a variety of experts; Indigenous governments, partners, communities and grassroots organizations; federal, provincial and municipal governments; and the Winnipeg Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to complete this feasibility study. 

The government of Canada also is working to offer necessary support and healing services to families and communities during this difficult time.

“The brutal murders of Indigenous women in Winnipeg and across Canada are horrific and are the reality and the fear that Indigenous women, girls, and [Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse]  people live with on a daily basis,” Minister of Northern Affairs The Honourable Dan Vandal says. “This national tragedy and crisis must come to an end and more action that achieves results is needed from all orders of government in addressing violence against Indigenous women and girls in our city and across Canada.”