Latest news with #MorganHarris
Al Jazeera
01-06-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
In Canada, a daughter's fight to bring her murdered mother home
Winnipeg, Canada - The last time Elle Harris saw her mother, she was on a bus in Winnipeg's North End. It was a chance encounter. Elle was 16 and making her way to work when she spotted Morgan slouched near the back of the bus. She was in the grips of drug-induced psychosis - her eyes vacant and unfocused, her body rocking back and forth as her lips moved in silent conversation with someone who wasn't there. When their eyes met, there was no flicker of recognition. The woman who had once gently braided her hair and read her bedtime stories now stared through her. Elle got off at the next stop and sobbed as she watched the bus pull away. This reporting was supported by the International Women's Media Foundation's Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender People (MMIWG2T).
CBC
18-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
PM hopes families find closure after Winnipeg landfill search yields remains of 2 murder victims
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he hopes recovering the remains from a Manitoba landfill of two First Nations women murdered by a serial killer brings closure to their families. RCMP have confirmed two sets of remains discovered at the Prairie Green landfill in the past month belong to Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran. A search of the Winnipeg-area landfill began in December in the hopes of finding the two women killed in 2022 by Jeremy Skibicki. He was convicted last year of first-degree murder in the slayings of Harris, Myran and two other Indigenous women. A trial heard that he targeted them at homeless shelters in Winnipeg and disposed of their bodies in garbage bins. Carney says he wanted to recognize the gruesome discovery and pay tribute to the women's families who fought to bring them home. "I just think it's important to acknowledge the findings from the Prairie Green landfill in Winnipeg and express to the families of Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris, and to everyone who loves these women, recognition of just how horrific it is to relive this tragedy over and over again," Carney said during an unrelated news conference in Iqaluit on Tuesday. "I hope that this unfortunate event … begins to provide some of that closure." RCMP confirmed a day earlier that a second set of remains found at the landfill belong to Myran. The women's families, Indigenous leaders and advocates pushed for years for a search of the area, taking their fight to Parliament Hill and the steps of the Manitoba legislature. It is believed the remains of Myran and Harris ended up at the privately run landfill after they were killed by Skibicki. The remains of Rebecca Contois were found in two places: a garbage bin and at a different landfill. An unidentified woman whom Indigenous grassroots community members named Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, has not been found. Police have not said where she might be. Police had refused to search the Prairie Green landfill over safety concerns. The Progressive Conservative government at the time also said it wouldn't support a search and touted its decision during the 2023 provincial election campaign. Kinew promised a search and, after his NDP was elected, the province and federal government put up $20 million to fund a search. Wayne Ewasko, interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives, apologized in the legislature earlier this month, saying the party had lost its way.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Bringing them home': Remains identified after Canada landfill search
Miles MorrisseauICT MANITOBA, Canada — The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have confirmed that the second set of human remains found in the Prairie Green Landfill near Winnipeg are those of Marcedes Myran of Long Plain First Nation, the fourth identified victim of a convicted serial killer who targeted Indigenous women. Myran's remains were found as part of a humanitarian search and recovery mission initiated by the Manitoba government at the request of the families of Myran and Morgan Harris, whose remains were found and identified earlier this month. SUPPORT INDIGENOUS JOURNALISM. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew spoke to reporters soon after the news was released. 'Myran and Morgan Harris are coming home,' said Kinew, Anishinaabe, who became the first First Nation provincial premier in Canadian history when he was elected in 2023. 'This is what we set out to do,' Kinew told reporters. 'I don't know if many of us knew the odds of success … 'But it turns out bringing them home was within our grasp, and something we were able to do for these families.'Myran's family was notified and the Manitoba government asked that the family's privacy be respected. The search mission was operated in conjunction with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and with the support of the federal government. Myran's remains were one of two sets recovered in the latest search, the other of which was identified as Harris earlier in March. The deaths of two other women have also been linked to Jeremy Skibicki, a Winnipeg man who confessed to the killings and was convicted in July 2024 of four counts of first-degree murder. Families had been pushing for more than two years to convince officials to search the Prairie Green and Brady landfills near Winnipeg, after the partial remains of another woman, Rebecca Contois, O-Chi Chak Ko Sipi First Nation, were found at the Brady landfill. An unidentified woman who was given the name Buffalo Woman or Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe by Indigenous elders, has also been linked to Skibicki, but her body has not been found. After initially refusing to conduct the searches despite protests from the families, government officials began formal searches in December. 'Our hearts are with them' The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs acknowledged and honored the sacred return of Myran following the tireless and courageous humanitarian search to bring her home to her children, other family and her community. 'We hold our hands up in prayer and love for the Myran family,' said Manitoba Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. 'I have witnessed the strength, determination, and relentless love of Marcedes' family as they fought to bring her home. Their courage is a reflection of the love they carry for her. Our hearts are with them as they grieve and begin the journey of healing.' Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak offered condolences and support to the families. 'The loss of Marcedes and the difficult fight for search and recovery has been incomprehensible,' said Woodhouse Nepinak. 'We once again lift up and send our condolences to the families of Morgan Harris, Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe (Buffalo Woman), and Rebecca Contois. They have our full support during this incredibly difficult time, as do all those grieving a Missing and Murdered First Nations individual.' 'Safety must be a priority' Woodhouse Nepinak also called on the federal government to implement the 231 Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 'The roadmap exists, and we know the work before us to honour the Inquiry and its findings and to build a just Canada that honours the safety of First Nations women and girls. Their safety must be a priority for all Canadians,' Woodhouse Nepinak said. 'The AFN also express our gratitude to Premier Wab Kinew for his leadership and advocacy in initiating and securing the efforts behind this search and recovery.'Diandre Thomas-Hart, co-chair of Manitoba Moon Voices, called for a stronger response from the government for missing and murdered Indigenous people. Manitoba Moon Voices is an organization that represents the interests of Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit and gender diverse individuals in the province. 'The crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit people continues to be met with inaction, delays and political excuses while our families are left to suffer,' Thomas-Hart said. 'Every level of government, law enforcement and the justice system must be held accountable for their failure to act swiftly and effectively. In cases of Indigenous homicide and missing persons, we demand immediate action to ensure that every Indigenous homicide case past, present and future is treated with the urgency resources and respect all people deserve. No more delays, no more excuses.' Wilson, the Manitoba chief, said she is committed to making the world safer for Indigenous women and other vulnerable people. 'For far too long, First Nations women have been treated as though they are disposable. We have always said — our women are sacred,' Wilson said. 'Marcedes deserved to live a full life surrounded by love and possibility. We will continue to honour her spirit and stand firmly with the Myran family as we work to end the violence faced by First Nations women, girls, and Two-Spirit people." Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter. ICT, formerly Indian Country Today, is a nonprofit news organization that covers the Indigenous world with a daily digital platform and news broadcast with international viewership.
CBC
17-03-2025
- CBC
2nd set of remains found at Manitoba landfill confirmed to be Marcedes Myran
Remains of Morgan Harris confirmed earlier this month Police have identified a second set of remains found at a Winnipeg-area landfill as those of Marcedes Myran, one of four Indigenous women who were victims of a serial killer in 2022, the province said. RCMP confirmed that the second set of remains found at the Prairie Green landfill were those of Myran, 26, the province said in a bulletin sent out Monday afternoon. The remains of Morgan Harris, another victim of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki, were found on Feb. 26 at the landfill north of Winnipeg, the province said. The remains were identified as the 39-year-old earlier this month.
CBS News
10-03-2025
- CBS News
Remains of Indigenous woman murdered by serial killer found at landfill in Canada, authorities confirm
The remains of an Indigenous woman murdered by a convicted serial killer three years ago have been found in landfill in central Canada, local authorities confirmed following a months-long search. Morgan Harris was one of the Indigenous women slain by Jeremy Skibicki, who is serving multiple life sentences after being convicted of four murders last year. Skibicki met his victims in homeless shelters, in a case seen as a symbol of the dangers faced by Indigenous women in Canada, where they disproportionately fall victim to violence, termed a "genocide" by a national public inquiry in 2019. Testimony at Skibicki's trial said he raped, killed and dismembered Harris and another woman, Marcedes Myran, in 2022. Police believed their remains were dumped at the Prairie Green Landfill site, north of Winnipeg, the capital of the province of Manitoba. Last month, authorities announced that the remains of two bodies had been found at the site. They confirmed late Friday that one set of remains are those of Harris. Manitoba police "have confirmed that human remains found in the Prairie Green Landfill search have been identified as those of Morgan Beatrice Harris of Long Plain First Nation," the province said in a statement on Friday. Identification of the second set of remains will be released "as facts are confirmed," it added. The body of another of Skibicki's victims, Rebecca Contois, was found in a separate landfill and in a garbage bin, while the remains of a fourth unidentified victim in her 20s are still missing. In a social media post, Harris's daughter called the identification of her mother's remains "a bittersweet moment." "She's coming home just like we said from the very fought with our hearts and now her spirit can rest," Cambria Harris said. The families of Harris and Myran had pushed authorities in Manitoba to search for the bodies. Manitoba's Premier Wab Kinew, the first Indigenous person to lead a Canadian province, said "Morgan Harris we honor you," in a post on social media. In December 2022, Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth wrote an open letter to Indigenous leaders, acknowledging the "unimaginable" pain surrounding the case. "The investigation involving the murders of Rebecca Contois, Marcedes Myran, Morgan Harris, and Buffalo Woman has been one of the most complex and important homicide investigations during my tenure," Smith wrote. "I have heard the calls from the families, the Indigenous leadership, and the community. I understand your calls; the pain and sorrow is unimaginable." Indigenous women represent about one-fifth of all women killed in gender-related homicides in the country -- despite comprising just five percent of the female population. A similar crisis exists in the U.S., where Native American women are disproportionately targeted in murders, sexual assaults and other acts of violence, both on reservations and in nearby towns. There were more than 5,700 reports of missing Native women and girls in 2016, according to the anti-sexual assault organization RAINN, which cites statistics from the National Crime Information Center. The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimated more recently that roughly 4,200 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people remain unsolved. Last month, the remains of a woman found dead on a reservation in southwestern South Dakota were identified as a Sioux woman who went missing more than a year ago.
