Make Poverty History Manitoba Stands in Solidarity with Indigenous Families, Calls for Landfill Search
Make Poverty History Manitoba stands in solidarity with the families of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran and all Indigenous communities calling for all levels of government to work together and search the Prairie Green landfill. There is also a third woman, Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe or Buffalo Woman, whose identity is unknown but still deserves to be found and honoured.
Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg have actively sought the destruction of this land’s First Peoples through attempted genocide, failing to honour the treaties, the residential school system, the 60’s Scoop and ensuring racism was built into our laws and systems that uphold those laws. The result has been that while Indigenous Peoples and cultures have survived, it has been due to their own strength and resilience.
To Canada’s shame, Indigenous Peoples continue to be over-represented in poverty. In 2020, 42% of Manitoba’s First Nations children and their families lived in poverty. Poverty creates vulnerability which puts people at higher risk of being victimized.
We call on the City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, and Government of Canada to work together with Indigenous governments to search the Prairie Green landfill and implement the MMIWG2S+ Calls for Justice to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirited+ people.
Actions you can take to show solidarity:
- Come to a round dance at Portage and Main on Thursday, August 3rd, at 2pm.
- Visit Camp Marcedes behind the Canadian Human Rights Museum to see what they need and offer a donation. Currently they are looking for lawn chairs and drinking water.
- Contact your City Council Members, Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament and demand they work with Indigenous governments to get this essential act of both truth and reconciliation done.
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.