Montrealers coming together for ‘Search the Landfill National Day of Action’

A crowd of around a hundred people came together at Place du Canada in downtown Montreal on Monday for “Search the Landfill National Day of Action,” calling on the Winnipeg police and Manitoba government to search the landfills for the bodies of five Indigenous women who were murdered.

“We join the thousands of others across the country to stand in solidarity with the families of Morgan Harris, Tanya Nepinak, Rebecca Contois, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe to demand justice,” said Iskweu Project in a press release.

“Since it was announced that remains of these women are likely at the Brady Road Landfill, the Winnipeg police and Manitoba government have continuously refused to conduct a search for the women. This is despite offers to support the search from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and demands from the families of these women. This refusal also stands in direct opposition to the 231 Calls for Justice and the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In taking this stand, the Canadian government has once again failed in its commitment to reconciliation and in protecting Indigenous women and girls.”

“We’re here to demand an end to all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls and an immediate search of the Brady Road landfill in Winnipeg where the bodies of these women are likely to be located,” said Laura Aguiar, the coordinator of the Iskweu project at the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.

The Manitoba government is opposed to searching the Prairie Green Landfill, citing safety issues.

“There are four families that suspect that their loved ones are in this landfill. Why would you say no? If we’re offering to get the expertise to help through this, why would you say no?” said Na’kuset, the executive director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.

Jorden Myran, who’s Marcedes Myran’s younger sister says, the lack of action from the government has been “draining.”

“Our hearts are broken. We’re grieving all over television when we shouldn’t be. We shouldn’t be having to stand here in today front of you fighting to get her remains out of a landfill. That’s not something that someone should have to do,” said Myran.  

“Think if it was your daughter, or your family member or cousin that was suspected in this landfill. It is so hard when our family members go missing,” said Na’kuset.

RELATED:

• Why won’t Manitoba search a landfill for the remains of two murder victims?
• Montrealers honour lives of four Indigenous women killed in Winnipeg
• Morgan Harris’ family protests at Winnipeg landfill, wants operations paused
• ‘Breach of human dignity’: Police must search for Indigenous women’s remains, says Mohawk official

Tonight at 6:00pm at Place du Canada. Media are welcome at 5:15pm for interviews. Please join us!!@iskweu @EllenGabriel1 pic.twitter.com/p4UUKRDmPf

— Na’kuset S (@NakusetS) September 18, 2023