Feds will fund feasibility study of landfill search for remains of 2 women: AMC

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

The grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says the federal government will cover the cost of doinga feasibility study forapotential search of a Winnipeg-area landfill believed to contain the remains of two First Nations women.

Grand Chief Cathy Merrick told CBC News on Wednesday that Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller hascommitted to covering the costs of the study, the first step in determining whether the Prairie Green landfill will be excavated.

"I'm very happy that we're able to come together to be able to provide that service, and that's going to lead to good things for the Manitoba region," she said.

CBC News has requested a comment from Minister Miller's office.

The feasibility study will be conducted by a local anthropologist, members of the Winnipeg Police Service, members of Long Plain First Nation and a member of AMC.

"This committee is going to be meeting tomorrow and theywill be able to provide back to us in a short period oftime whatthe next steps are going to be," she said.

Public Safety Minister Minister Marco Mendicinomet with Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth and representatives from the provincial governmenton Wednesday and, although he wouldn't commit specifically tofederal dollars to cover any costs of a search, he promised there would be support of some kind.

"The conversations today largely ... revolved around how we can offer support, whether it's through resources, technology or feasibility, we will be there to help,"Mendicino told Power and Politics host David Cochrane on Wednesday.

"There was a very firm and concrete offer to help howeverwe can."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also suggested in question period on Wednesday thatfederal dollars may be coming.

"We havereceived the letters from the families. We see the level of painand the federal government will look to do whatever we can to support the province, the city and whoever needs support in terms ofgiving closure and justice for these families," Trudeau said in the House of Commons.

These updates come the day afterManitoba First Nations leaders and Indigenous groupssent a letter calling on the federal government to fund their landfill search and tocall in the United Nations for support.

Police allege Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and a fourth woman whom people are calling Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, werekilled by the same manover a two-month period earlier this year.

Contois'partial remains werelocated in June at the Brady Road landfillin south Winnipeg.

Police have said the remains of Myran and Harrisare believed to be in the Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg.

Earlier in the day, Long Plain First Nation Chief Kyra Wilson alsomet with Smythtogether with Merrickmere days after calling for his resignation in light of the police service's decision not to search the Prairie Green landfill.

She said it was a positive meeting where Smyth showed support for their search.

WATCH | Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, seen from above:

Winnipeg mulls landfill search for remains of 2 slain Indigenous women

2 years ago

Duration 2:02

Winnipeg city officials are working on figuring out how to search a landfill thought to contain the remains of two Indigenous women. A Winnipeg man is charged with murder in their deaths, and two others.

"Winnipeg policeare wanting to be supportive and that was the most important thing thatcame out of the meeting today," Wilson said.

Smythsaid in an emailed statement on Wednesday that he isis supportive of the collaborative efforts by the First Nations leaders and Indigenous groups torecover the remains of Harris and Myran.

He added that police will participate on a working committee led by Merrick on the feasibility of a recovery search.

Wilson saidthe Indigenous community's trust in police is low at this point, but she hopes they can build on this positive meeting.

"Transparency andbeing genuine andbeing mindful of all the statements that are being made," are important steps the police can take, Wilson said.

"The most important thing right now is being able towalk together," she said.

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 at1-800-442-0488or204-677-1648.