Latest news with #Nepinak
Winnipeg Free Press
06-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Changing that system': daughter of murder victim sees progress on Red Dress Day
A year ago on Red Dress Day, Cambria Harris pleaded with the Manitoba government to search the landfill for the remains of her murdered mother. 'One year later, I can officially say that we were right,' Harris said Monday afternoon after speaking to a group of about 50 people at the University of Manitoba. 'We searched the Prairie Green Landfill, and we finally are changing that system.' Harris, 24, delivered a 60-minute keynote that covered a myriad of personal stories about her and Morgan Harris, who was slain by convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. Her remains were found in March after a search at the landfill north of Winnipeg. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Hundreds of people walked from Memorial Park to The Forks during the annual Red Dress Day memorial walk, Monday morning in Winnipeg. Harris spoke at length about the difficulties she faced in receiving justice for her mother and three other victims, Ashlee Shingoose, Marcedes Myran and Rebecca Contois, including an unsuccessful discussion with former premier Heather Stefanson about searching the landfill for their remains. The speech was preceded by a traditional Indigenous water and pipe ceremony and was one of several events across Winnipeg for Red Dress Day, held annually across Canada to remember the lives of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls. Harris said the landfill fight was an example of collective action, but said there was more work to be done. She mentioned Tanya Nepinak, who disappeared in 2011. Police believe her body was dumped in a garbage bin and taken to the Brady Road landfill. Shawn Lamb was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Nepinak and two other women, Lorna Blacksmith and Carolyn Sinclair. He was convicted of manslaughter in the slayings of Blacksmith and Sinclair, but his charges related to Nepinak's death were stayed. Police searched part of the landfill for Nepinak in 2012 but called off the search after a week. No remains have ever been found. Harris said the public needs to continue to pressure authorities to take more action to protecting Indigenous women and girls. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Cambria Harris, daughter of Morgan Harris: 'One year later, I can officially say that we were right.' 'We need to keep holding (the government) accountable so there isn't another Indigenous person standing in front of them asking to search the landfill,' Harris said. Premier Wab Kinew has since spoken to Nepinak's family about a possible search for her remains. Also Monday, the Manitoba government announced a $15-million MMIWG2S+ Healing and Empowerment Endowment Fund it established last year accrued more than $350,000 and it would be giving the money to five Indigenous organizations to support families of MMIWG. The province will split the funds between Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the Southern Chiefs' Organization, Giganawenimaanaanig, the Manitoba Métis Federation Infinity Women's Secretariat and Tunngasugit. Families can apply for the fund to cover a variety of things, including costs related to searching for missing women and girls, funerals, headstones and school tuition for family members. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Drumming and singing, dressed in red and carrying signs and banners, hundreds walked along Broadway to Main Street then north to York Avenue where they entered The Forks and made their way to the Oodena Circle. Manitoba is Canada's only jurisdiction to have an endowment fund operate in perpetuity to support MMIWG families and related organizations, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said. 'What that means is that MMIWG2S+ families across the country don't have the means to be able to access dollars that they might need,' she said at the announcement. Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. Elsewhere, hundreds walked from Memorial Park to The Forks as part of the Red Dress Day memorial walk. People dressed in red walked along Broadway to Main Street drumming, singing and holding signs and banners. The walk ended at Oodena Circle at The Forks where there was more drumming, guest speakers and the opportunity to smudge. Back at the university, Harris said community events and continuing dialogue surrounding MMIWG is important to address the ongoing crisis. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Drumming continued at The Forks as people settled on the grass, with very little shade and the temperature soared to almost 28C. 'When we collectively come together and acknowledge people such as myself, we're making that change for our future and younger generations,' she said. Nicole BuffieMultimedia producer Nicole Buffie is a multimedia producer who reports for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College's Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom in 2023. Read more about Nicole. Every piece of reporting Nicole produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. 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Hamilton Spectator
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada's Indigenous leaders on losing Pope Francis: ‘An ally and a friend'
Canadian Indigenous leaders bid farewell to 'an ally and a friend' at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, lauding the pontiff for advancing reconciliation efforts with a historic apology for injustices that remain raw for many. Gov-Gen. Gen. Mary Simon and chiefs Wilton Littlechild, Phil Fontaine and Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak were among the thousands of dignitaries and Catholic faithful who filled St. Peter's Square to honour Francis and his dedication to a myriad of issues, including concerns facing migrants, marginalized groups and the poor. Afterwards, the head of the Assembly of First Nations remembered Francis for apologizing during his visit to Canada in July 2022 for the Catholic Church's role in widespread abuses at residential schools. 'I stand with people around the world and in mourning the loss of an ally and a friend to First Nations, Pope Francis,' National Chief Nepinak said by phone Saturday, reached on a busy Rome street hours after the mass. 'No other pope before him had done that, had done that work and had apologized, and so I thank him for his life.' Nepinak acknowledged a sad day in marking the pontiff's death, but also a day for looking to the future, 'knowing that we have to still build the relationships and change the conversation on some really difficult issues within the Catholic Church.' Simon, Canada's first Indigenous governor general, said the pontiff's apology for abuses in the residential school system was a significant step in addressing historical injustices. 'I hope that the new pope will carry on the work that Pope Francis was doing,' said Simon, who led the Canadian delegation to Rome. 'The apology was a significant milestone, and we have to continue working together on the journey of reconciliation. The fact that he came to Canada and apologized on Canadian lands, on Indigenous lands, was very significant.' Littlechild said it's important to continue that work for 'our healing journeys.' Nepinak said she, Littlechild and Fontaine met with several Canadian cardinals after the funeral to informally discuss next steps in healing relations between the Church and Indigenous Peoples. 'We talked about some of the work that he had done in the past couple of years. So it was a good day that way, where I was able to build relations with Vatican officials and cardinals and bishops,' she said. The road ahead is not smooth, she added, noting resistance remains among some in the Church and in Indigenous communities to both change and accepting the apology. 'I think it's very raw. And residential schools is just very, still, very raw for Canada.' The papal visit in July 2022 was described as a 'penitential pilgrimage' because Pope Francis insisted on meeting with Indigenous survivors of residential schools and hearing their stories. In Maskwacis, Alta., Francis begged for forgiveness and expressed shame for abuses committed by some members of the Church. In Nunavut, he met survivors who showcased traditional practices banned in residential schools, including dancing, drumming and throat singing. While the visit was recognized as a milestone, some criticized Francis for not naming the crimes and abuses. Others called for action, such as the return of sacred artifacts held by the Vatican. Nepinak said she saw signs of a possible renewed relationship with the Church, noting that when she arrived at the funeral, she initially took her place towards the back of a VIP section. But then a Vatican official approached and pulled her closer to the front. 'I was sitting in the back row, and some of the Vatican officials came and got me, and they brought me up to the stage, closer to his coffin and with the dignitaries up top,' she said. 'I want to be hopeful.' Simon said it's important for the Vatican to continue efforts at reconciliation. 'It's a long process, but you see things moving forward. And I hope that will continue to happen.' About 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools, more than 60 per cent of which were run by the Catholic Church. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2025.
CBC
26-04-2025
- CBC
Woman found not guilty of manslaughter in Brandon man's 2020 overdose death
A woman accused of selling the drugs that killed a Brandon man nearly five years ago has been found not guilty following her trial for manslaughter in the southwestern Manitoba city. Hailey Lepine, 25, had pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, criminal negligence and unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance in connection with the 2020 overdose death of 30-year-old Michael Crede. Justice Elliot Leven, who presided over the judge-only March 25 to 27 trial at the Court of King's Bench in Brandon, acquitted Lepine in an April 16 decision, ruling the Crown had not proved her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Crede died on July 25, 2020, after splitting a gram of MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, with his 33-year-old girlfriend, Chrissy Nepinak (who testified at the trial but is not identified by name in Leven's decision). In her March 25 testimony, Nepinak said Crede shook and foamed at the mouth after taking the drugs, and later became unresponsive. A toxicologist testified that Crede had "very, very, very high" levels of MDA in his blood. The body breaks down MDMA into MDA, a related substance within the amphetamine family that can have greater hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. There were no other apparent causes of death, Leven wrote, and the pathologist told court Crede's cause of death was a drug overdose. Nepinak testified she bought the drugs from Lepine, claiming Lepine knew the drugs to be dangerous but sold them anyway. Lepine told the court that never happened. "Have I ever sold a drug to anyone? No," Lepine said on the last day of her trial. In his decision, Leven wrote he did not find Nepinak to be a "credible or reliable witness," adding she demonstrated "extremely poor judgment" by not calling 911 or driving Crede to the hospital. Leven questioned Nepinak's claims that she arranged to buy the drugs from Lepine using Facebook Messenger, noting there was "no physical evidence (e.g. text messages) contradicting anything [Lepine] said." Lepine told court she occasionally used text messages to buy drugs herself, but claimed she didn't have any messages from 2020. She said she never texted or saw Nepinak the day Crede died. Nepinak told the court she deleted the messages about buying drugs out of habit. Leven also noted Lepine freely admitted to using marijuana, cocaine and magic mushrooms, which "bolstered her credibility to some extent." In his decision, Leven wrote he found Nepinak to be "dishonest" when she initially told police the drugs had come from a "friend of a friend," a response he wrote was "calculated to hide something from the police." She testified she didn't initially want to give police a name, but changed her mind when they told her she could help prevent more deaths by telling them where the drugs came from. Leven's decision, though, said "a more plausible explanation is that, when she realized that the police were intent on pursuing the subject, [Nepinak] realized that her 'friend of a friend' answer would no longer be sufficient, and she had to provide a name. "The first name that came to mind was that of the accused." Leven's decision noted that Lepine had dated Nepinak's brother but they had a bad breakup in mid-2020. Lepine claimed he had sold drugs at the time, and that she had previously shared drugs with him and Nepinak. "Providing the name of the accused was a convenient solution to a difficult problem," Leven wrote. "Considering the credible evidence of the accused along with the less credible evidence of [Nepinak], there is obviously a reasonable doubt about the guilt of the accused," he ruled, acquitting Levine of the charges.
CBC
20-04-2025
- General
- CBC
Family of First Nations woman believed to be in Brady Road landfill holds pipe ceremony to pray for her return
'I wanted her to know that I ain't giving up': Tanya Nepinak's aunt Sue Caribou Image | Brady Road landfill pipe ceremony Caption: Posters with the face of Tanya Nepinak and teddy bears were hung on the fence at the Brady Road landfill during a pipe ceremony in the memory of the Pine Creek First Nation woman whose remains are believed to be on the Winnipeg site. (Geraldine Shingoose/Facebook) Over the years, Sue Caribou has brought her drum with her to Brady Road Landfill to sing for her niece Tanya Nepinak, whose remains are believed to be on the site. Caribou feels her loved one closer every time she drums at Brady Road. This year, she wanted to share that experience with others and prayed for the search of Nepinak's remains in the landfill, holding a pipe ceremony on Saturday. "There was a lot of support … it was very special," Caribou said on Sunday. Around 50 people gathered for the ceremony, led by Ojibway grandmother Geraldine Shingoose, who prepared a medicine bundle wrapped in a red cloth, along with a spirit plate for Nepinak. Before the ceremony started, Caribou said there was a light breeze, but once the pipe was lit and the drummer began playing, the wind picked up with strong gusts. "It was a powerful ceremony. That was the first time I had experienced something that powerful," she said. "I walked around the gate with my drum and I sang for my beautiful Tanya." Image | Geraldine Shingoose and Sue Caribou Caption: About 50 attended the pipe ceremony on Sunday, led by Ojibway grandmother Geraldine Shingoose, left, and organized by Tanya Nepinak's aunt Sue Caribou, right. (Geraldine Shingoose/Facebook) Open Image in New Tab Posters with Nepinak's face were plastered around the landfill's front entrance, while teddy bears were hung on the fence. "I wanted to do something special on Easter … I wanted her to know that I ain't giving up," Caribou said. "I can't give up, she needs to be brought home." Among those in the crowd were family and friends of Nepinak, MMIWG2S+ advocates and Winnipeg police Supt. Bonnie Emerson. Caribou said the officer went in lieu of Chief Gene Bowers who had been invited. Robyn Johnston helped Caribou, a friend of hers, to organize the ceremony by contacting Shingoose and spreading the word on social media. "I wanted Tanya to take the landfill back," Johnston said. "It was important for Sue and Tanya to be recognized, to not be ignored anymore and to be put in the forefront." Johnston said it is part of the work to make the search of the Brady Road landfill for her remains a reality "rather than keep hiding it." 'I feel like she was forgotten' It's been more than 13 years since Nepinak, who was originally from Pine Creek First Nation, went missing after she left her home on Winnipeg's Sherbrook Street in September 2011. In June 2012, Shawn Lamb was charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death and disappearance, but those charges were later stayed. Winnipeg police have said they believed Nepinak's body was dumped in a garbage bin and taken to the Brady Road landfill. Even though a search for her remains was launched in October 2012, it was cancelled after six days with no evidence located. Manitoba committed to search the Brady Road landfill for the remains of Ashlee Shingoose, who was recently identified as one of the four First Nations women murdered by a Winnipeg serial killer in 2022. Caribou has been pushing for that search to also include recovery efforts for Nepinak. Earlier this month she brought her plea directly to Premier Wab Kinew, although there wasn't an official confirmation on the search then. Caribou is still slated to talk with Kinew in May. Potential search at landfill reopens old wounds for aunt of Winnipeg woman who went missing over a decade ago "I'm kind of scared that they might not [do it] … that it's just going to be so wrong," she said. For now, another reason behind hosting ceremonies like Saturday's is to prevent Nepinak's memory from fading again after the last search for her was called off. "I feel like she was forgotten … It broke my heart that they didn't do that kind of effort for my loved one," she said, referring to the search of the Prairie Green Landfill that led to the recovery of remains belonging to Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran earlier this year. "It was heartbreaking … knowing that she was left behind," Caribou said. But she is praying that this time Nepinak's remains will be returned home and put to rest. "She deserves to be in a proper burial ground," Caribou said. "They can't just leave her up there."
CBC
20-04-2025
- General
- CBC
Family of Frist Nations woman believed to be in Brady Road landfill holds pipe ceremony to pray for her return
Social Sharing Over the years, Sue Caribou has brought her drum with her to Brady Road Landfill to sing for her niece Tanya Nepinak, whose remains are believed to be on the site. Caribou feels her loved one closer every time she drums at Brady Road. This year, she wanted to share that experience with others and prayed for the search of Nepinak's remains in the landfill, holding a pipe ceremony on Saturday. "There was a lot of support … it was very special," Caribou said on Sunday. Around 50 people gathered for the ceremony, led by Ojibway grandmother Geraldine Shingoose, who prepared a medicine bundle wrapped in a red cloth, along with a spirit plate for Nepinak. Before the ceremony started, Caribou said there was a light breeze, but once the pipe was lit and the drummer began playing, the wind picked up with strong gusts. "It was a powerful ceremony. That was the first time I had experienced something that powerful," she said. "I walked around the gate with my drum and I sang for my beautiful Tanya." Posters with Nepinak's face were plastered around the landfill's front entrance, while teddy bears were hung on the fence. "I wanted to do something special on Easter … I wanted her to know that I ain't giving up," Caribou said. "I can't give up, she needs to be brought home." Among those in the crowd were family and friends of Nepinak, MMIWG2S+ advocates and Winnipeg police Supt. Bonnie Emerson. Caribou said the officer went in lieu of Chief Gene Bowers who had been invited. Robyn Johnston helped Caribou, a friend of hers, to organize the ceremony by contacting Shingoose and spreading the word on social media. "I wanted Tanya to take the landfill back," Johnston said. "It was important for Sue and Tanya to be recognized, to not be ignored anymore and to be put in the forefront." Johnston said it is part of the work to make the search of the Brady Road landfill for her remains a reality "rather than keep hiding it." 'I feel like she was forgotten' It's been more than 13 years since Nepinak, who was originally from Pine Creek First Nation, went missing after she left her home on Winnipeg's Sherbrook Street in September 2011. In June 2012, Shawn Lamb was charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death and disappearance, but those charges were later stayed. Winnipeg police have said they believed Nepinak's body was dumped in a garbage bin and taken to the Brady Road landfill. Even though a search for her remains was launched in October 2012, it was cancelled after six days with no evidence located. Manitoba committed to search the Brady Road landfill for the remains of Ashlee Shingoose, who was recently identified as one of the four First Nations women murdered by a Winnipeg serial killer in 2022. Caribou has been pushing for that search to also include recovery efforts for Nepinak. Earlier this month she brought her plea directly to Premier Wab Kinew, although there wasn't an official confirmation on the search then. Caribou is still slated to talk with Kinew in May. Potential search at landfill reopens old wounds for aunt of Winnipeg woman who went missing over a decade ago "I'm kind of scared that they might not [do it] … that it's just going to be so wrong," she said. For now, another reason behind hosting ceremonies like Saturday's is to prevent Nepinak's memory from fading again after the last search for her was called off. "I feel like she was forgotten … It broke my heart that they didn't do that kind of effort for my loved one," she said, referring to the search of the Prairie Green Landfill that led to the recovery of remains belonging to Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran earlier this year. "It was heartbreaking … knowing that she was left behind," Caribou said. But she is praying that this time Nepinak's remains will be returned home and put to rest. "She deserves to be in a proper burial ground," Caribou said. "They can't just leave her up there."
