Press Releases

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) acknowledges and welcomes the Manitoba government’s recent announcement of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to explore installing GPS systems and enhanced surveillance on garbage trucks. This initiative directly aligns with a critical recommendation from the AMC’s Search the Landfill Feasibility Study, addressing the urgent and ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S+).

“The integration of GPS technology into waste management operations is more than just a technical upgrade—it is a necessary step in our continued efforts to search for our missing and murdered loved ones,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. “This technology will improve tracking and data collection, which are essential in assisting investigations and, ultimately, bringing closure to the affected families. We are committed to ensuring that these measures are implemented effectively and that they lead to real, tangible progress.”

Grand Chief Cathy Merrick also emphasized the importance of implementing the recommendations presented to prevent the further victimization of First Nations MMIWG2S+ and to establish tangible accountability measures for all levels of government. These key recommendations include:

• A requirement that all waste removal companies in Canada track the location of garbage trucks with GPS.
• Installing rear-facing cameras on all garbage trucks to allow operators to see what is being thrown into them.
• Monitoring the entrances and exits of landfills with video surveillance.
• Ensuring that the appropriate Ministry supports and funds these changes, especially for smaller municipalities and communities.
• Increase funding for homeless shelters to help the unhoused transition into a safer life.
• Increase funding for social supports and culturally appropriate social programming for First Nations and Indigenous peoples, specifically MMIWG2S+, including addiction rehabilitation programs, affordable housing, mental health supports, and care and cultural connectivity.

“The AMC worked closely with families and experts to develop these recommendations,” added Grand Chief Merrick. “We are pleased to see that the government is taking the recommendations from this First Nations-led feasibility study seriously and is making concrete efforts towards implementation. This step represents a significant commitment to the safety and dignity of our Nations and demonstrates a shared dedication to finding solutions that will aid in the recovery of our loved ones.”

The AMC remains committed to working closely with the government and other partners to ensure that this initiative leads to meaningful and lasting change. This investigation must be more than a formality—justice must be real, and it must be felt.

For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com 

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

The 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 all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) peoples.