The families of two Indigenous women killed by a serial killer say the potential discovery of their remains at a Manitoba landfill is significant but difficult.
“We knew those women were in there, and this is the day that we’ve been waiting for,” said Jorden Myran, sister of Marcedes Myran.
Family members of Myran and Morgan Harris spoke at a news conference held by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Thursday, a day after the discovery of potential partial human remains at the Prairie Green Landfill.
Investigators previously said they believed the remains of Harris and Myran—victims of convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki—ended up at the landfill in May 2022.
The province announced the potential discovery Wednesday. The Harris and Myran families visited the landfill that day.
Harris’ daughter Elle told reporters nothing could have prepared her to receive the news.
“Yesterday, all I could think about was that I want my mom. No one should go through any type of heartbreak without their mom,” Elle said.
The potential remains have now been transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for DNA testing which the premier has said could take weeks.
Harris’ cousin Melissa Robinson said she’s still in shock.
“I’m a little shaky. I’m a little uneasy. It usually takes a lot to break me, but I’m pretty emotional today,” she said.
‘We can’t ignore this crisis anymore’
AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said the journey to the potential discovery was a long and difficult one.
“It is a painful time but also very much a significant moment in this fight for justice,” she said.
“It does definitely bring deep grief, but it also reinforces what we’ve known which is that our stolen sisters deserve to be found, and they deserve to be honoured and they deserve to be laid to rest with dignity.”
For years, family members and Indigenous leaders have called for the landfill to be searched for Harris and Myran’s remains.
The Winnipeg Police Service declined to do so, citing safety concerns, as did the then-provincial government, helmed by Tory Premier Heather Stefanson.
After Wab Kinew’s NDP won a majority government in 2023, the province spearheaded its own search that began in December.
“No family, no person should go through what we went through. And again, to every one of you who said no, to every one of you who didn’t believe us—do better. How could you?” Elle said through tears.
Wilson said First Nations women, girls, two-spirit people, men and boys are facing an ongoing crisis, with a disproportionate number being murdered or going missing.
She said systemic change is urgently needed to save lives.
“It needs to happen immediately. The violence against our First Nations people—it continues, and we can’t ignore this crisis anymore.”
- With files from the Canadian Press
