Premier Kinew meets with family of Tanya Nepinak

In their continued search for answers and justice, the family of Tanya Nepinak marched on the Manitoba Legislature on Friday with hopes of discussing the potential for an expanded search of the Brady road landfill with Premier Wab Kinew.

Friday’s rally comes on the heels of calls from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs earlier this week that any humanitarian search effort of the Brady Road Landfill for Ashlee Shingoose, should also include Nepinak, who went missing in 2011.

“I told you auntie and mom wouldn’t give up, and you knew that didn’t you my girl,” said Nepinak’s aunt Sue Caribou, who has been demanding justice for her beloved niece for the past 14 years.

On Friday afternoon, she entered the Manitoba Legislature, and two hours later, emerged with a renewed hope after getting to meet with Premier Wab, as the group had marched to the Legislature with hope, but no guarantees of a meeting. 

While unable to get into specifics, Caribou and her friend Robyn Leanne said the Premier assured them that just like Shingoose, he couldn’t promise that he would find their loved one, but he would try. 

“I got to talk to the leader. Instead of: ‘make an appointment with my secretary and I’ll get back to you.’ That’s what the past leader said to me,” said Leanne. “He’s assured us he will try, they are going to need some time to figure out where she is.”

Leanne said while the group did ask for confirmation in writing, she said Premier Kinew said the group will have to take his word on the promise to examine what can be done to find and recover Nepinak’s remains. 

As for Caribou, who admitted she had never previously gotten past the front door of the Legislature, it was an overwhelming day knowing they are one step closer to bringing Tanya home.

“He actually listened to all my loved ones’ stories,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed, I’m still getting chills that we actually got somewhere this time.”