Red Dress Day, a time meant to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), is approaching and causing frustration in Winnipeg. Cambria Harris, the daughter of Morgan Harris, who is believed to have remains in Prairie Green Landfill, questions why Indigenous women’s remains are left in the landfill while non-Indigenous people are searched for without hesitation. A search began in a Saskatoon landfill for Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for over three years, leading to calls for a search in the Winnipeg landfill for the remains of three Indigenous women. In the spring of 2022, Winnipeg’s chief of police refused a search, which upset Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ Grand Chief Cathy Merrick and Cambria Harris.
The decision to not search the landfill in Winnipeg cost critical timing, according to Merrick and Harris. This has left Harris feeling disheartened and frustrated, as it sends a message to Indigenous women that they are not worth looking for and can be disposed of without consequences. The need to find all missing women, regardless of their background, is emphasized by Merrick and Harris. Harris spoke at a Red Dress Day event at the University of Manitoba to raise awareness of the MMIWG crisis and highlight the ongoing issues faced by Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people. Adele Perry from the University of Manitoba’s Centre of Human Rights discussed how systemic issues such as colonialism, racism, and sexism contribute to public apathy towards missing Indigenous women.
Premier Wab Kinew promised a search of the landfill as part of his election campaign, expressing confidence that it would happen within the year. However, as of now, there have been no updates on the timeline for the search. The provincial and federal governments have committed $40 million to find the remains of the slain women, and alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki awaits a court ruling for the deaths of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, and Buffalo Woman. Harris believes that the fight for the search of the landfill has inspired grassroots advocates across Turtle Island to share their own stories, creating waves of change in raising awareness and seeking justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women.
The statement by Harris that Indigenous women are being treated as less than human and disposable reflects the deep-rooted issues of colonialism, racism, and sexism that contribute to the ongoing crisis of MMIWG. The failure of society to address these circumstances and provide closure for families highlights the need for greater awareness and action to protect Indigenous women and girls. The promise of a landfill search by Premier Kinew and the commitment of funding by the provincial and federal governments are steps towards seeking justice for the slain women and holding those responsible accountable. The advocacy efforts of Cambria Harris and other grassroots advocates are driving change and creating a ripple effect across Turtle Island in raising awareness and demanding justice for the MMIWG crisis. The fight for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women continues to be a pressing issue that requires ongoing attention and action from all levels of society.
The ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) has been a significant issue in Canada, leading to frustration and calls for action in Winnipeg ahead of Red Dress Day. The refusal to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of three Indigenous women has raised questions about the value placed on Indigenous lives and the lack of urgency in addressing these cases. The search for Mackenzie Lee Trottier in a Saskatoon landfill has further highlighted the need for similar efforts in Winnipeg to find missing Indigenous women. The commitment by Premier Wab Kinew to conduct a search of the landfill and the funding allocated by the provincial and federal governments show progress towards seeking justice for the slain women and holding perpetrators accountable. The advocacy efforts of Cambria Harris and other grassroots advocates have sparked a wave of awareness and action across Turtle Island, emphasizing the importance of finding closure for families and addressing systemic issues that contribute to the MMIWG crisis.
