Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press

The Manitoba government will be joining an Indigenous-led committee tasked with determining whether it's possible to recover the remains of two First Nations women believed to be in a landfill outside of Winnipeg. 

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is leading the group, which also includes outside experts and Winnipeg police. 

The committee is to put together a feasibility study that will include a search and budget plan that will then be presented to different levels of government. 

A man found guilty of manslaughter in the death of a missing Winnipeg cleaner has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. 

A Manitoba Court of King's Bench judge says the sentence is appropriate for Kyle Pietz, who was convicted of killing Eduardo Balaquit.

Justice Sadie Bond says a lengthy term must be imposed because Pietz planned to rob Balaquit while the night cleaner was working alone and later disposed of his body. 

Winnipeg's chief of police says he has no plans to resign and supports exploring options to recover the remains of two Indigenous women who are believed to be in a landfill outside the city. 

Chief Danny Smyth made the comments Friday in a statement to First Nations groups in Manitoba and the media.

Smyth said that he has performed his duties to the best of his ability and is committed to preventing the "victimization and exploitation of women."

Garbage disposal at a landfill outside Winnipeg was paused Thursday as calls to search the area for the remains of two Indigenous women believed to be the victims of an alleged serial killer intensified. 

Premier Heather Stefanson said the management of the Prairie Green landfill, a privately owned dump north of the city, has halted operations as the province and the city figure out what to do. 

"It's very important that we take this pause and we get it right," she said.

Under a dark December night sky, a collage of photos taped to a billboard rests against a tree illuminated only by the light of a sea of candles. 

Each of the photos depicts a smiling Morgan Harris at different points in her short life. 

This is how Cambria Harris, 21, wants the public to remember her mother. 

"I want her to be remembered as happy-go-lucky. She was silly. She was fun. People loved to be around her," she said Thursday evening during a vigil. 

Standing in a courtroom six months after a jury found Kyle Pietz guilty of manslaughter in the death and disappearance of Eduardo Balaquit, the victim's son pleaded for the location of his father's body. 

"I ask Kyle to speak up … after doing so much wrong, do the one thing that's right," Edward Balaquit said while reading a victim impact statement.

A sentencing hearing for Pietz, 37, took place Wednesday in front of Court of King's Bench Justice Sadie Bond. 

More than two dozen of Balaquit's family attended, including his wife and two sons. 

Chiefs of four remote First Nations in northeastern Manitoba are calling for the provincial and federal governments to build a health facility that can treat ongoing mental health and addiction crises for their growing populations.

The chiefs from the Island Lake region estimate 15,000 to 18,000 people live in the area, but none of the four communities has a hospital to address these issues. 

18:27 Oct 26th, 2022
Mba-Chief-Election
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs elects first female leader, Cathy Merrick
By: Brittany Hobson
Location: Winnipeg
Source: The Canadian Press

A woman will lead the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs for the first time in its nearly 35-year history. 

Chiefs in the province chose Cathy Merrick on Wednesday as the advocacy group's next grand chief.

Seven candidates were vying for the position during a byelection after the organization removed previous leader Arlen Dumas over sexual harassment allegations.

An Indigenous-led safe space for sexually exploited women and girls is expecting to expand its reach in Winnipeg with funds from the federal government. 

Ottawa says nearly $7 million is to help with operating costs at Velma's House.

Patty Hajdu, the federal minister of Indigenous Services, says the money should allow the organization to increase its capacity and deliver culturally appropriate programs. 

Part of the money is also to go toward purchasing a new building, so the group can offer ceremonies, counselling and meals to more people.

A Winnipeg mother says she was scarred for life when her first child was taken away at birth by social workers, who told her she was unfit to parent her newborn daughter because she was just 17 at the time. 

"I don't know how one could fully heal from that trauma," said the woman, now 41, whom The Canadian Press has agreed not to identify because of her family's involvement in the child welfare system. "Having a baby taken away from birth … the bond is broken." 

New census data suggests Indigenous children continue to be overrepresented in the child welfare system.