Calls to ‘search the landfill’ echoed at downtown vigil

A woman holds a megaphone mic in front of a crowd, all wearing red.
Ellen Gabriel addresses a crowd Monday night at a downtown Montreal call to search a north Winnipeg landfill. Photo by Jules Bugiel.
Jules Bugiel - CKUT - MontrealQC | 20-09-2023
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Editor's Note: This story discusses violence against women.

Around 100 people were in downtown Place du Canada Monday night to demand the search of Winnipeg’s Prairie Green landfill for the bodies of two Indigenous women Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran. Winnipeg Police say that the women were murdered and their bodies left there by an alleged serial killer.

Despite the families' wishes and community demands, the Manitoba government has refused to locate the women's bodies, citing high risks and high costs. According to a federal feasibility study, a search is possible but could take as much as $184 million and last up to three years. Even then, there's no guarantee the bodies will be found.

But Native Women’s Shelter Director Nakuset said that if Manitoba is serious about reconciliation, they would try any way they could.

"Think if it was your daughter... Why would you say no?"

A small group of family members and allies has been camped outside the landfill since last December. They say they still haven’t seen action from any level of government, including federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree.

"Why aren't all levels of government being held accountable for the lack of all actions and change?" asked Morgan Harris' daughter Cambria.

Mohawk activist Ellen Gabriel reminded the crowd that Manitoba has a provincial election on October third. When she brought up Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, her message was simple: "Kick her out."

Listen to the full story below: