At the June 26 Council meeting, I brought forward a motion that acknowledges the profound loss and ongoing pain surrounding the tragic murders of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Rebecca Contois, as well as the still unidentified woman known respectfully as Buffalo Woman. These were not just names in the news. They were cherished daughters, sisters, mothers, and valued members of their communities. Their lives were stolen far too soon, and their families have been left with immeasurable grief.
The search of the Prairie Green Landfill is not only about recovery. It is about dignity. It is about justice. It is about honouring these Indigenous women and standing with the families and communities that have been calling for action, often in the face of silence or delay.
While there has been public debate over the financial cost of the search, this motion makes it clear that the moral cost of inaction is far greater. When we say every life matters, we must truly mean it. Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people continue to experience violence at alarming and disproportionate rates. We cannot ignore this.
This motion directs the City of Winnipeg to take three important steps:
- Learn from this tragedy. The Public Service will report back on lessons learned and identify how the city can be better prepared to respond to similar situations in the future.
- Improve coordination. We will reach out to Indigenous leadership, community organizations, and other levels of government to ensure a unified, respectful, and adequately resourced response when individuals, especially Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, go missing.
- Establish clear protocols. The city will work to put procedures in place that support landfill search operations, should they ever be necessary again.
There is still much work to do, but I believe these steps are a necessary beginning. Justice is not a one time action. It is an ongoing commitment. I remain dedicated to standing with the families and community members who are fighting to bring their loved ones home and to ensure this never happens again.
To all those who have spoken out, marched, written, or stood in support, thank you. Your courage and your love are helping shape a better path forward.
Cindy Gilroy
City Councillor, Daniel McIntyre Ward
