‘Search the landfill’ rally at Manitoba legislature

The sound of drums and traditional singers filled the air as around 100 people gathered at the Manitoba legislative building Wednesday, calling for a search of the Prairie Green landfill.

The day of action was organized by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

Marchers gathered at the Forks Tuesday morning before making their way to the legislature.

Chanting “bring our women home, search the landfill,” they demanded officials go forward with a search of the private landfill north of Winnipeg for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran.

Incoming Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew promised during the election campaign that his NDP government would search the landfill if elected.

Also Wednesday, the federal government said it was putting $740,000 toward further assessing the feasibility of searching the landfill.

An initial feasibility, also funded by Ottawa, found a search would be possible but that toxic materials could pose a risk to workers.

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At the Manitoba legislature, marchers shouted the names of some missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Red dress signs – visual reminders of MMIWG2S+ in Canada – were placed on the legislature lawn.

People were dressed in traditional clothing, including ribbon skirts, jingle dresses, and beaded medallions.

AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick was in attendance and spoke to the crowd.

Family of Eishia Hudson at rally

Family members of MMIWG were present, including the loved ones of Eishia Hudson.

The 16-year-old Indigenous girl was fatally shot by police in spring 2020 while she was driving a stolen vehicle. The officer was not charged.

“She was only 16 when she got taken from me,” said Eishia’s little sister Anastasia.

Anastasia says days like these are important, as she still thinks of her older sister all the time: “All the memories I had from her are still in my heart.”

Anastasia Mary Beating Heart Hudson holds a handmade sign in honour of her sister Eishia Hudson at the “search the landfill” rally in Winnipeg, Oct. 4, 2023. (Joanne Roberts, CityNews)

Earlier this year, a review by Manitoba’s children and youth advocate determined Eishia had been unable to get consistent help from various government systems.

Eishia’s father William Hudson was also present alongside Anastasia.

“My daughter, she would say, ‘don’t be sad.’ I got it on the back of my hat,” the father said. “It’s one of the sayings that she always said. She would just say it, just randomly. The way she would say it, I would just laugh.”

The family of Eishia Hudson joined the “search the landfill” march, Oct. 4, 2023. (Joanne Roberts, CityNews)

Hudson smiles whenever someone says Eishia’s name, and always has a memory of her to share.

“I have lots of memories of her but the one that stands out to me the most is walking her to school and holding her hand. Even hugging her, going in and – as a teenager, you don’t want your dad to walk you to school. You don’t want your dad to hold your hand. It was just something we did all the time. We walked her to school.

“She was a kid that loved sports… She loved school, she loved running around the apartment block that we were living around at the time. She had so many friends in the apartment block. She was so good to a lot of people.

“She loved singing, she was just an amazing daughter.”

RELATED:

• Families of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran demanding more from Liberal government
• Calls to search the Prairie Green Landfill north of Winnipeg growing louder
• Rallies across Canada demand governments search landfill for slain Indigenous women
• Families of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran outraged by Manitoba PC landfill search ad

Hudson feels justice for Eishia also means justice for the families of Myran, Harris and Buffalo Woman.

“Show up to days like this. Support families that are calling for justice. We want transparency, we want accountability. Just show up please.”

Hudson says he has renewed hope for families of MMIWG2S+. He feels hopeful, now more than ever, that a landfill search will happen. He believes it will come down to Kinew.

“He’s gonna bring… more action on truth and reconciliation, which is important at this time, right now. So I’m very happy that’s he’s in,” said Hudson.

“If you would have asked me 10 years ago, you know maybe even before (Kinew) even got into (leadership) with NDP, I wouldn’t imagine it. But now that we have Wab as our leader, I’m so happy.”