The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Issues a Statement on the Technical Subcommittee’s Final Report
May 5, 2023
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), Chief Kyra Wilson, Long Plain First Nation, the impacted families and the Landfill Search Feasibility Study Oversight and broader Committee have received the Final Report of the Technical Subcommittee.
After review, it was agreed by consensus that the Final Report be submitted to the government of Canada on Thursday, May 3, 2023. We are asking the media to allow the families to process the results of the Landfill feasibility study and respect their privacy until a formal press conference is hosted by the AMC on Friday, May 12, at noon in Winnipeg. A media advisory will go out next week.
BACKGROUND:
On December 1, 2022, the Winnipeg Police Service informed family members of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran that their remains were most likely located in the Prairie Green Landfill and a search would not occur.
On December 13, 2022, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), Long Plain First Nation, the Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO), the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), the Assembly of First Nations Manitoba Region sent a joint letter to the federal government requesting funding for a feasibility study.
On January 17, 2023, AMC formally announced the appointment of the Landfill Search Feasibility Study Committee, consisting of an Oversight Committee and a Technical Subcommittee. On February 22, 2023, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) announced funding for the feasibility study with AMC as the responsible organization.
“We are grateful for all the hard work and dedication the Technical Subcommittee has shown over these last 2.5 months in finishing this report,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. “We also acknowledge all the time and effort the Technical Subcommittee and the Landfill Search Feasibility Study Committee have given since December 2022, before CIRNAC approved the funding for this study. It is imperative we continue with this search and bring closure to the victim’s families, the Long Plain First Nation and the larger Manitoba community affected by these murders. Many families are worried their loved one might be Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, whose identity remains unknown. We are working tirelessly to bring her, Morgan Harris, and Marcedes Myran home where they belong.”
There is a national, toll-free, 24/7 crisis call line providing mental health support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. For assistance, call 1-844-413-6649.
Support is also available through the MMIWG health and cultural support services.
Support could include professional counselling with a focus on healing; emotional support, such as listening and referrals to additional services; and culturally specific help centred around traditional healing methods and Elder Services.
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For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) people. The current elected Grand Chief of AMC is Grand Chief Cathy Merrick of Pimicikamak Cree Nation.