The police in Manitoba have confirmed that recently recovered human remains are those of Morgan Beatrice Harris, one of four Indigenous women believed to have been murdered by a serial killer. The search for remains became a political flashpoint, emphasizing systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
Identification of Remains Sparks Outrage and Reflection in Manitoba
Identification of Remains Sparks Outrage and Reflection in Manitoba
The discovery of human remains within a Manitoba landfill has corroborated the tragic reality of a serial killer's victims, drawing attention to the treatment of Indigenous women in the justice system.
The police in Manitoba announced that human remains found in a Winnipeg landfill last month belong to Morgan Beatrice Harris, one of four victims of a serial killer. Harris, 39, and three other Indigenous women were murdered between March and May 2022. Until this announcement, only Rebecca Contois's remains had been identified. Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki, convicted for the killings, is serving a life sentence.
The political ramifications of searching the Prairie Green landfill have stoked debate, especially during the recent provincial elections. The previously ruling Progressive Conservative party opposed searches due to concerns about cost and investigative risks, while Indigenous advocates highlighted a historical inconsistency with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s extensive investigation into Robert Pickton in British Columbia.
Harris's identification was announced by the New Democratic Party government, which had committed to the landfill search as part of its campaign. Wab Kinew, the new Indigenous premier, emphasized the need to care for grieving families, while Harris's daughter, Cambria, expressed mixed feelings on social media, pointing out that actions speak louder than words amidst apologies from the opposition party's interim leader, Wayne Ewasko.
As attention turns back to the treatment of Indigenous women in Canada, the identification of Harris’s remains serves as a call to recognize the broader systemic issues and injustices faced by First Nations communities. The legislative apology by the Progressive Conservatives has been rebuffed by Harris's family, emphasizing that genuine closure for victims' families requires more than just statements of regret.
