Family of Linda Beardy says Winnipeg police were dismissive, as hundreds march for answers

Hundreds of people marched through downtown Winnipeg Friday in a show of support for the family of Linda Beardy, who say they feel disrespected by the Winnipeg police.

The force is investigating the death of the 33-year-old mother of four from Lake St. Martin First Nation.

Winnipeg police said Thursday there is no evidence to indicate Beardy’s death was a homicide. Investigators allege she was last seen leaving a store and climbing into a garbage bin.

They say a few hours later, a truck picked up and emptied the bin and carried the contents to the Brady landfill where the woman’s body was found.

But Beardy’s family says they found police dismissive, and are worried officers may not be compelled to complete a thorough investigation into her death.

“None of us our immune, we are all affected by this,” said Ryan Beardy, Linda’s family member, on Friday. He told demonstrators that many in Winnipeg are in pain.

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The discovery of Beardy’s remains last week sent shockwaves through the community. She’s the second woman in less than a year whose remains were found at the Brady landfill.

Last year, Rebecca Contois’ remains were also discovered at the facility. Police say the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcades Myran are believed to be at Prairie Green, another Winnipeg-area landfill. The whereabouts of the remains of another, unidentified Indigenous woman, dubbed “Buffalo Woman” by the community, are unknown.

Jeremy Skibicki has been charged with first-degree murder in their deaths.

“For me to be here today, it’s hard,” protester Tracy Mentuck told CityNews. “It’s probably difficult for a lot of people around here.”

Mentuck was one of hundreds of people taking part in the demonstration that closed the intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street before converging on the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters.

Community members, renewing calls for a full search of both landfills, plastered Winnipeg police HQ with posters.

Devastation and anger spilled over, resulting in property damage at the building.

Urging calm, Lucy Beardy, Linda’s sister, says the family wants answers, not destruction.

“I didn’t want it to be violence,” said Lucy. “That’s not what we were trying to come and do.”

On Saturday, when asked about concerns being raised and the strained relationship between police and the Indigenous community – and whether or not the disclosure of evidence had started – the force said in an email it has “no further information to provide at this time.”

Damon Johnston, a Winnipeg Police Board member and president of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, says the recent deaths have raised challenges between the Indigenous community and police.

“To address these kinds of incidents in a better way, you need to draw out the facts,” said Johnston.

He says it’s important to first determine exactly what happened, and what concerns are merited, to ensure the best path forward.

“As long as we’re blinded by anger, or resentment or whatever else is in play there, then you can’t really get to a better place with it,” said the long-time Indigenous leader. “So you have to have a willingness on both sides to come together and search for better ways of doing things.”

Johnston says police should heed the desires of the family when it comes to releasing any video evidence available.

“If there’s nothing to hide, then yes, definitely, let’s see the video,” he said.

Mayor Scott Gillingham also issued a statement in response to the concerns on Saturday, saying the relationship between all city departments and the Indigenous community is “critical to Winnipeg’s future and our journey toward reconciliation.”

“I’ve had some very honest and productive conversations with leaders like Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, and the Chiefs of Treaty One Nation,” said the mayor. “I’m committed to listening and learning and finding ways to work together to improve safety and create opportunities for all Indigenous people.”