Protest continues at Brady Road Landfill despite court injunction

Protesters remain at Winnipeg’s Brady Road Landfill, continuing to block the main access road despite a court injunction. Those here continue to call on the Manitoba and federal governments to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women.

Demonstrators standing their ground Monday afternoon, with no plans of going anywhere. Winnipeg Police released a statement saying they cannot discuss details of the operation but have the intention of achieving a peaceful resolution.

“This is a human rights issue. This is a social issue. This is a public issue. This isn’t just an Indigenous issue,” said Diane Bousquet, demonstrating at the Brady Road Landfill. “You ban me from here and we open up another camp.”

Protesters remain at the Brady Road Landfill on July 17, despite a court injunction. (Photo Credit: Alex Karpa, CityNews)

A new flag with a message to Premier Heather Stefanson was raised Monday, with the words “Heartless Heather” painted in black letters across the provincial flag. Diane Bousquet says it’s time for Stefanson to wake up.

“Heather Stefanson, you heartless woman. Search the landfill. This is disgusting. I can’t believe this is even a conversation.”

The protest at the landfill began in response to Premier Heather Stefanson’s decision not to support a search at the Prairie Green Landfill earlier this month, where the remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified alleged homicide victim known as Buffalo Woman are believed to be.

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Sharon Janakas says it’s important for her and her granddaughter Sairah to be on the scene at the landfill.

“Our women are sacred. These are women that are somebody’s mother, daughter, granddaughter, aunt, or niece, and they’re not garbage. We’re not garbage. We deserve better,” said Janakas.

A federally funded feasibility report, completed in May, found a search could take up to three years and cost upwards of $184 million. Stefanson’s decision cited safety concerns for those searching.

Kris Dueck, a forensic consultant who worked on the feasibility study says the search can be done safely.

“Any argument, I guess, that would oppose those findings, in our opinion, is necessarily not based in fact,” said Dueck.

Protesters remain at the Brady Road Landfill on July 17, despite a court injunction. (Photo Credit: Alex Karpa, CityNews)

The plan used to search the landfill would involve search technicians sifting through around 60,000 tonnes of materials using a conveyor belt.

“Of course, there is no absolute guarantee, but we did this method on purpose because we think it has the highest probably of recovering remains of Marcedes and Morgan,” said Emily Holland, Forensic Anthropologist at Brandon University.

At a press conference Monday, Indigenous leaders said Premier Stefanson was too quick to judge the safety concerns regarding a search. Melissa Normand, Cousin of Morgan Harris, says the search can be done and should be done.

“The Premier is now showing us that because of the colour of our skin, she won’t do it. That’s what she’s saying loud and clear. I’m tired. We are all tired. I don’t know why we are fighting our government to do the right thing,” said Normand.