Wednesday, April 5, 2023

More Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women?

The question has to be asked: Are bodies being disposed to dump areas around Winnipeg because the belief is that they won't be found and won't be subject to a search even if there is a suspicion a victim might be there?

A 33 year indigenous mother of four was discovered by city workers on Monday and today police have identified her as Linda Mary Beardy of Lake St. Martin First Nation. Were it not for keen eyed city workers, it may have been another family in Winnipeg with no answers.

There is a lot to wait for in terms of police work to do. So far they haven't ruled the death as a homicide. What the investigation will reveal is still unknown. The danger for many people is probably overwhelming.

It is not normal for this to be happening. Not surprisingly, it is news nationally and internationally in that it falls into the most horrific category of crimes against persons.

The snow that is falling today could have easily hidden that a person was present at the Brady Road dumpsite. The police should be very concerned that people are ending up there. More needs to be done to track loads that end up at the site. Brady Road has some good tracking. Other sites next to nothing. Nevertheless, even with tracking, Brady Road is a massive place and busy at all times. Given how many times police have been called to the place makes one wonder how longer the status quo can continue.

The police chief Danny Smyth might have unwittingly given comfort to those seeking to hide their crimes to use dumpsites more often. It is no different than our rivers which only when more routine dragging of the rivers took place gave those second thoughts about using it for such purposes.

Winnipeg is a diverse and vital community but has also had a reputation from its origin as a tough and violent place. There has always been a vulnerable population that has struggled with less and had less supports of having a home, health, job and those who care and watch out for them.  The faith in police, justice and government are frail.

Safety is first and foremost in the mind of those in the city and province. If the feeling is that searches won't be done, it only undermines the sense that justice can be done. It only comforts those who commit awful acts that they will remain free.

It can't go on and it shouldn't go on.

Deepest of sadness to the family and all those who suffer not knowing. We have to make it our mission to end this.


Edit: It appears that the woman is question climbed into the bin. There may be more to the story and police are open to more information. This is a tragic situation. Full credit to the Brady Road staff for being on top of things. We can only imagine the desperate search if they hadn't reported in.

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