First Nations advocates for landfill search looking forward to meeting with Manitoba's new premier

Manitoba's new premier is set to meet with the families of two First Nations women whose remains are believed to be in the Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg. 

Long Plain First Nation Chief Kyra Wilson told CBC she will be attending the meeting scheduled for Thursday along with family members of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick.

Cambria Harris, the daughter of Morgan, one of the women believed to be in the landfill, said she learned about the meeting with Wab Kinew on Monday, after his office reached out to Long Plain First Nation. 

Kinew was sworn is as premier last Wednesday. 

"What went through my mind was that maybe, just maybe we might have a chance to bring my mother Morgan home," said Harris. 

"I'm grateful that they did reach out and offer to sit down with us," she said. "While I don't know what that meeting will entail, we do know that they have committed to help toward working to search the landfill and so for that I'm grateful." 

Last December Winnipeg police announced Jeremy Skibicki had been charged in the deaths of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and an unidentified victim who was given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman.

Skibicki had been in custody after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of Rebecca Contois months earlier.

Police revealed they believe the remains of Harris and Myran are in the Prairie Green landfill, but had made the decision not to search after determining it would not be feasible. 

Partial remains of Rebecca Contois were discovered in the Brady Road landfill in June 2022. The location of Buffalo Woman's remains is unknown. 

For months Harris, along with other family members, advocates and First Nations leaders have been demanding all levels of government to help conduct a search. 

A feasibility study on a possible search completed in May estimated it could take up to three years and cost between $84 million and $184 million. 

The report said safety measures could be taken to mitigate the potential hazards of searching the landfill. 

In July, the former Progressive Conservative government announced they would not support a search of the Prairie Green landfill saying there were concerns around the safety of those who would be conducting the search and said there was no guarantee the remains of the women would be found.