Human remains found in a Winnipeg landfill have been identified as belonging to Morgan Beatrice Harris, one of four Indigenous women murdered by a serial killer. This case has reignited political debate over the search efforts, drawing comparisons to previous cases and highlighting the struggles of Indigenous communities in seeking justice.
Manitoba Landfill Search Reveals Remains of Serial Killer’s Victim, Raising Political and Social Questions
Manitoba Landfill Search Reveals Remains of Serial Killer’s Victim, Raising Political and Social Questions
The identification of Indigenous women’s remains in a Manitoba landfill highlights ongoing justice issues and political divides in Canada surrounding the investigation of violence against Indigenous populations.
The search for human remains in a landfill near Winnipeg has led to a confirmation that some of the remains belong to Morgan Beatrice Harris, a victim of serial killer Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki. Harris, a 39-year-old member of the Long Plain First Nation, was one of four women murdered between March and May 2022. Prior to this identification, only the remains of Rebecca Contois, 24, had been confirmed.
Skibicki was convicted of these murders last year, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years. His social media history revealed disturbing ideologies, including support for far-right movements and expressions of white supremacy and misogyny. The other victims include Marcedes Myran, 26, and an unnamed woman referred to by First Nations elders as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman.
The decision to search the Prairie Green landfill became contentious during the 2023 provincial elections, with the now-defeated Progressive Conservative party campaigning against it due to perceived costs and risks. This stance faced resistance from Indigenous groups, who highlighted historical injustices, notably contrasting the case with that of Robert Pickton, a serial killer in British Columbia whose pig farm became the site of Canada’s largest crime scene investigation.
The identification of Harris's remains was announced by the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Manitoba, which had committed to the search during its campaign. Wab Kinew, the province's first Indigenous premier, expressed condolences while emphasizing the importance of the families affected by the tragedy. Harris's daughter, Cabria, acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the announcement as many families continue to seek closure.
In the legislature, the interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives, Wayne Ewasko, publicly apologized for the party's earlier opposition to the search, admitting the decision lacked empathy for the victims' families. Cabria Harris, however, dismissed the apology as insufficient, stating that actions must accompany words to prove genuine remorse.
This tragic event not only underscores the dire circumstances surrounding violence against Indigenous women in Canada but also highlights the ongoing discourse around systemic issues in political responses to such crimes.
