Call to Action

On Dec.1, 2022, the Winnipeg Police Service  announced that the homicides of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman were connected to the same perpetrator.

Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois & Morgan Harris were believed to be killed in May, while Buffalo Woman is believed to be killed in early March 2022. These women were mothers, sisters , friends, loved ones.

Since the announcement of the homicides being connected was made, many groups have called on all levels of government to do something about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls & Two-Spirited people epidemic that is ongoing in Canada.

We are calling on the municipal government to cease operations at both Prairie Green and Brady Landfills, and search immediately for the remains of those who are still missing.

We are calling on the provincial government to urge the City of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Police to search these sites and, further, for them to urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency.

We are calling on the federal government of Canada to declare a national emergency surrounding MMIWG2S. Use these letter templates, written in collaboration with the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association, to send a letter to the politicians listed below. 

Politicians to send the municipal/provincial letter to:

Mayor Scott Gillingham
Mayor’s Office
510 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 1B9

Markus Chambers (City Council St Norbert/Seine River)
510 Main Street
Winnipeg MB
R3B 3M2

Hon. Premier Heather Stefanson
Room 204 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0V8

Hon. Alan Lagimodiere (Manitoba Minister of Reconciliation)
Room 301 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0V8

Hon. Rochelle Squires (Manitoba Minister responsible for the Status of Women)
Room 357 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0V8

Politicians to send the federal letter to:

Hon. Marci Ien (Federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth)
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Hon. Marc Miller (Federal Minister of Indigenous Services)
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister)
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Resources for Indigenous students:

  • Call the toll-free 24/7 federal MMIWG support line at 1-866-818-3505 to speak to a counsellor.
  • Elders at UM are here to offer their support and can be reached via email or phone. Please call the Indigenous Student Centre at 204-474-8850 to make an appointment.
  • Hope for Wellness Hotline which offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24-7 for counselling and crisis intervention. Call 1-855-242-3310 or use their online chat.
  • Manitoba Metis Federation Hotline available to Metis Citizens from 7am to 11pm. Call 1-833-309-1041 (available in English and French)
  • Talk4Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Canada (formerly only offered in Ontario). Call toll-free at 1-855-554-4325.
  • Indigenous academic advisors: 204 474 8850

Resources available to all students:

  • Klinic crisis line (24h): 204 786 8686
  • Mb suicide prevention line: 1877 435 7170
  • UM security services: 555 from any university phone/Bell MTS/Rogers Wireless phone or 204 474 9341 from all other phones
  • Safe walk: 204 474 9312
  • Student counselling centre: 474 UMSU University Centre, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or call 204 474 8592