Between March and May 2022, four Indigenous women in Winnipeg, Manitoba, were tragically murdered by Jeremy Skibicki. The victims included Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman known as Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe (Buffalo Woman). Skibicki was charged with their murders on December 1, 2022, and found guilty on all counts on July 11, 2024.
Pattern of Violence and Far-Right Ideology
Investigations revealed Skibicki had a history of spousal abuse, with allegations from two previous partners of assault, threats, and rape. Both women were of Indigenous (Métis) descent. Skibicki's social media also showed a disturbing pattern of far-right, misogynistic, anti-Semitic, and white supremacist behavior.
Government Response and Debate
The killings sparked an emergency debate in the House of Commons about the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women and girls. MP Leah Gazan proposed a "Red Dress Alert" system, which was unanimously adopted. The 2023 Manitoba general election saw the Progressive Conservatives, who opposed searching a landfill for the remains of Myran and Harris, lose to the New Democrats, who promised to conduct the search.
The Victims
Rebecca Stacey Contois: A 24-year-old member of the O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation and mother of one. Her remains were found on May 16 and June 2, 2022.
Morgan Beatrice Harris: A 39-year-old member of the Long Plain First Nation, last seen on May 1, 2022.
Marcedes Myran: A 26-year-old member of the Long Plain First Nation and mother of two, last seen on May 4, 2022.
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