Families, MKO, SCO outraged over release of man convicted of killing 2 Indigenous women

Families, the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) say they are concerned and outraged after a man who pleaded guilty to killing two Indigenous women in 2012 was granted a statutory release.

Shawn Lamb was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Carolyn Sinclair and Lorna Blacksmith, and was also a suspect in the disappearance of Tanya Nepinak, whose remains have never been found.

Recently, he was released under supervision after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

“I was sick to my stomach that I had to find out through the media. No one contacted or reached out,” said Sue Caribou, Tanya Nepinak’s Aunt.

Paige Paupanakis, Lorna Blacksmith’s sister, added, “If my aunty didn’t contact me, I would have found out through social media, most of my family would have found out from social media if I didn’t call them.”

“This decision is a painful reminder of the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Our communities continue to live with the trauma of these horrific acts, and the release of Shawn Lamb reopens deep wounds for the families and loved ones of Carolyn Sinclair, Lorna Blacksmith, and Tanya Nepinak,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee.

MKO says that the Parole Board of Canada has imposed conditions requiring Lamb to reside in a designated facility for at least six months due to his assessed risk to society.

“We cannot ignore the systemic failures that allow predators to harm Indigenous women and then return to society with minimal accountability. This is not justice. This is a failure to protect the most vulnerable,” said Grand Chief Settee.

“Canada must act on the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Our women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ relatives deserve safety and dignity, not headlines about their killers walking free.”

Blacksmith’s daughter says Lamb’s release brings back years of grief and concern. While his conditions consist of a number of requirements, Paupanakis says they do not feel safe.

“I don’t understand why the police, the government, and the parole office are letting him out free on the street. That’s not right. We’re not just advocating for Indigenous women, we’re advocating for all people. This isn’t safe for anyone,” said Paupanakis.

The SCO says “Lamb’s return to the community highlights an ongoing reluctance to treat the deaths and disappearances of First Nations women, girls, two-spirited, and gender-diverse peoples with urgency.” Noting that Winnipeg continues to be at the centre of this crisis.

“The safeguards within Canada’s colonial justice system still treat First Nations women and girls as disposable,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “We are thinking of the Sinclair, Blacksmith, and Nepinak families. How can society claim that the MMIWG2S+ emergency is a priority when self-declared murderers are released after serving only two-thirds of their sentences? First Nations women and girls are not disposable, and the justice system must change to reflect that truth.”

Meanwhile, Tanya Nepinak’s family still believes Lamb knows more about what happened to Tanya, especially as the province prepares to restart the search for her remains at Brady Road Landfill. For them, Lamb’s release feels like another setback in a long fight for answers.

“I read his record, and he’s been released so many times; if they kept him a long time ago, these three women wouldn’t have been murdered,” said Caribou.

Premier Wab Kinew told reporters Thursday that he will be sending a draft to the Prime Minister regarding serial killers being released into the general public.

The MKO is calling for action to be taken to “review statutory release provisions for violent offenders to ensure public safety is prioritized, fully implement the MMIWG Calls for Justice, including reforms to the justice system and investments in prevention,” and “increase funding for community safety initiatives and culturally appropriate supports for families impacted by violence.”

The SCO is echoing the call, saying that “Lamb would present an ‘undue risk to society’ in transitional housing. Yet statutory release still placed him back into the public, despite his long history of violent offences including assault, sexual assault, and robbery. This contradiction reveals a justice structure more responsive to administrative timelines than public safety or accountability.”

Before adding that in the six years since the release of 231 Calls for Justice, “Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse peoples continue to experience violence and death at six times the rate of non-Indigenous women across Turtle Island. These realities are the result of systems that have refused to change.”

For those impacted by the national emergency of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people, support is available by contacting the MMIWG2S+ intake team at 431-294-0366 or by calling 1-844-413-6649 for immediate emotional support.

Additionally, for those who are part of any SCO Nations that are experiencing a crisis or emergency related to gender-based violence, support is available by contacting the SCO’s Mobile Crisis Response Team at 1-877-726-2880.

-With files from Mitchell Ringos