Manitoba Chiefs commend church solidarity on landfill searches

Four leaders of major churches will join supporters at Camp Marcedes and Camp Morgan calling on the province to search Winnipeg landfills for missing Indigenous women, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman), and Tanya Nepinak.

Making the announcement Monday the United Churches of Canada says the following leaders will join the camps on September 5.

• The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of the United Church;
• The Rev. Mary Fontaine, Moderator of The Presbyterian Church in Canada;
• The Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada;
• The Most Rev. Chris Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Bishop; and
• The Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Still, Co-Chair of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples.

Tuesday, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) said they commend the United Churches of Canada for their solidarity.

“On behalf of AMC, we are grateful for the united support from church leadership in searching the landfills for our missing loved ones,” said AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. “All levels of government must work together to implement the 231 calls to justice and get real about reconciliation because commitment means nothing without meaningful action.”

The AMC says since Heather Stefanson announced the province would not fund a landfill search, “there has been an overwhelming and consistent stream of announcements showcasing united solidarity from various church denominations.”

Grand Chief Merrick says, “We strongly hold the belief that the collective unity of these groups in supporting the families will demonstrate to the world that this issue is not exclusive to First Nations in Manitoba.”

Adding, “It’s not just our people demanding justice. We are receiving support from around the world because people recognize that the issue before us is a human rights issue.”