Manitoba authorities have confirmed the identification of human remains found in a landfill as those of Morgan Beatrice Harris, one of four Indigenous women murdered by a serial killer. The case has reignited discussions on the importance of addressing violence against Indigenous communities amid a political backdrop.
Human Remains of Indigenous Women Identified in Manitoba Landfill Search
Human Remains of Indigenous Women Identified in Manitoba Landfill Search
The search for remains in a Winnipeg landfill links to the tragic case of a serial killer targeting Indigenous women, sparking political debate and community outrage.
In a significant development, the police in Manitoba have announced the identification of human remains discovered in a landfill near Winnipeg as belonging to Morgan Beatrice Harris, a 39-year-old Indigenous woman. Ms. Harris is one of four victims linked to a serial killer, Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki, who was convicted last year of these murders, which took place between March and May 2022. Until this announcement, only one victim, Rebecca Contois, aged 24, had been positively identified.
The identification of Ms. Harris’s remains comes amid ongoing political debate surrounding the search for the victims’ remains at the Prairie Green landfill. This contentious issue became a focal point during the 2023 provincial elections, where the previously ruling Progressive Conservative party campaigned against the search, citing concerns about costs and safety, arguing that the possibility of finding anything was slim.
In contrast, the newly elected government led by Wab Kinew, the first Indigenous provincial premier, had committed to the search as part of their campaign promises. Indigenous leaders and advocates have underscored the stark differences between the responses in this case and previous serial killer investigations, notably the infamous Robert Pickton case in British Columbia, where a pig farm became a site for a vast crime scene investigation.
Cabria Harris, Morgan's daughter, expressed her complex emotions regarding the identification of her mother’s remains, calling it a "bittersweet moment," as the community grapples with grief and the quest for justice. In recent remarks, the interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives, Wayne Ewasko, publicly apologized for the previous party stance against the search. However, Cabria remains skeptical about the sincerity of this apology, emphasizing a need for tangible actions rather than mere words.
As this investigation unfolds, it continues to highlight the urgent issues surrounding the safety and justice for Indigenous women in Canada, amplifying the calls for greater awareness and action against gender-based violence.
