Premier hopes identification of remains brings closure to victim’s family

Kinew also paid tribute to the late Assembly of Manitoba Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, who, before she died last year, was a staunch advocate of the need to search the landfill for the remains of the women.

“One of the first things her husband told me, was the search was her top priority, the top political issue,” Kinew said.

“Because she was so loved, and adored, by everyone here in Manitoba, I hope that us delivering this important step forward, on her most cherished priority, is a fitting way to honour her legacy.”

A statement from the province sent out Friday night said RCMP had identified the remains found at the landfill as Harris.

The statement added another set of remains were also discovered and more information will be released once confirmation is made.

Last year, even before the search of the landfill began, serial killer Jeremy Skibicki was found guilty of first-degree murder in the slayings of Harris, Myran, Rebecca Contois and an unidentified Indigenous woman who has been given the name Buffalo Woman, or Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe by community members.

Winnipeg police decided not to search the landfill because of safety concerns and the former government of Premier Heather Stefanson agreed, even going so far, during the last provincial election, to promise in its platform and on billboards it would not order a search of the landfill if re-elected.

When Kinew and the NDP were swept to power with a majority government, they immediately initiated the search and last week, before the remains were identified, interim Tory leader Wayne Ewasko issued an “unconditional apology” for the party’s stance.

“Our government erred. It’s as simple as that,” Ewasko said on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Ewasko offered “deepest condolences to the family and friends of Morgan Harris.

“I’m hoping that this recent confirmation will start to bring closure for the family and to this tragic chapter in our province’s history.”

In a post on Facebook, Harris’ daughter Cambria wrote “Please keep our families in your hearts tonight and every day going forward as we trust this process.

“We found my mother Morgan. It is a very bittersweet moment. I believe both our families will bring both of our loved ones home. “

Sheila North, former Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, and a longtime advocate for missing and murdered women, praised both Harris’ and Myran’s families for never giving up.

“They fought for justice and it was the families who fought for it who were right all along,” North said.

“I spoke with a family member and they told me to remind (people) how the police said it couldn’t be done, but yet here we are.

“No was never an answer for us.”

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Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.

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