WARNING: This story contains distressing details.
The Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says the federal government will cover the cost of doing a feasibility study for a potential search of a Winnipeg-area landfill believed to contain the remains of two First Nations women.
Grand Chief Cathy Merrick told CBC News on Wednesday that Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller has committed to covering the costs of the study, the first step in determining whether the Prairie Green landfill will be excavated.
“I’m very happy that we’re able to come together to be able to provide that service, and that’s going to lead to good things for the Manitoba region,” she said.
CBC News has requested a comment from Minister Miller’s office.
The feasibility study will be conducted by a local anthropologist, members of the Winnipeg Police Service, members of Long Plain First Nation and a member of AMC.
“This committee is going to be meeting tomorrow and they will be able to provide back to us in a short period of time what the next steps are going to be,” she said.
Public Safety Minister Minister Marco Mendicino met with Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth and representatives from the provincial government on Wednesday and, although he wouldn’t commit specifically to federal dollars to cover any costs of a search, he promised there would be support of some kind.
“The conversations today largely … revolved around how we can offer support, whether it’s through resources, technology or feasibility, we will be there to help,” Mendicino told Power and Politics host David Cochrane on Wednesday.
“There was a very firm and concrete offer to help however we can.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also suggested in question period on Wednesday that federal dollars may be coming.
“We have received the letters from the families. We see the level of pain and the federal government will look to do whatever we can to support the province, the city and whoever needs support in terms of giving closure and justice for these families,” Trudeau said in the House of Commons.
These updates come the day after Manitoba First Nations leaders and Indigenous groups sent a letter calling on the federal government to fund their landfill search and to call in the United Nations for support.
Police allege Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and a fourth woman whom people are calling Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, were killed by the same man over a two-month period earlier this year.
Contois’ partial remains were located in June at the Brady Road landfill in south Winnipeg.
Police have said the remains of Myran and Harris are believed to be in the Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg.
Earlier in the day, Long Plain First Nation Chief Kyra Wilson also met with Smyth — together with the head of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Grand Chief Cathy Merrick — mere days after calling for his resignation in light of the police service’s decision not to search the Prairie Green landfill.
She said it was a positive meeting where Smyth showed support for their search.
WATCH | Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, seen from above:
Winnipeg city officials are working on figuring out how to search a landfill thought to contain the remains of two Indigenous women. A Winnipeg man is charged with murder in their deaths, and two others.
“Winnipeg police are wanting to be supportive and that was the most important thing that came out of the meeting today,” Wilson said.
Smyth said in an emailed statement on Wednesday that he is is supportive of the collaborative efforts by the First Nations leaders and Indigenous groups to recover the remains of Harris and Myran.
He added that police will participate on a working committee led by Merrick on the feasibility of a recovery search.
Wilson said the Indigenous community’s trust in police is low at this point, but she hopes they can build on this positive meeting.
“Transparency and being genuine and being mindful of all the statements that are being made,” are important steps the police can take, Wilson said.
“The most important thing right now is being able to walk together,” she said.
Support is available for anyone affected by details of this case. If you require support, you can contact Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Medicine Bear Counselling, Support and Elder Services at 204-594-6500, ext. 102 or 104, (within Winnipeg) or 1-888-953-5264 (outside Winnipeg).
Support is also available via Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison unit at 1-800-442-0488 or 204-677-1648.
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