Community Rally In Winnipeg Following the Tragic Discovery of Ms. Linda Mary Beardy’s Remains

On Friday, April 7, 2023, a large protest took place in downtown Winnipeg and outside the Winnipeg police headquarters in response to the tragic discovery of Ms. Linda Mary Beardy’s remains in the Brady Landfill. The death of Ms. Beardy, a mother and member of the Lake St. Martin First Nation, is yet another heartbreaking example of the ongoing issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirits, and gender-diverse people in Canada. As the Indigenous community and allies gathered to mourn her loss, demand justice, and call for systemic change, the event marked a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and safety.

The discovery of Linda Mary Beardy’s remains has brought to the forefront the devastating impact of violence and systemic discrimination on Indigenous women and communities in Canada. According to statistics from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) has documented thousands of cases of violence and homicide against Indigenous women, girls, two spirits, and gender-diverse people and identified the root causes of this violence as colonialism, racism, sexism, and economic marginalization.

Indigenous women and communities have been organizing for years to demand justice, accountability, and systemic change in response to this crisis. The MMIWG inquiry, launched in 2016, was a critical milestone in this struggle, providing a platform for Indigenous women and families to share their stories and demand action from the government. The final report of the inquiry, released in 2019, included 231 calls for justice, outlining a comprehensive framework for addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls.

Despite these efforts, however, the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls continues, with new cases of violence and homicide being reported regularly. The discovery of Linda Mary Beardy’s remains is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for action and change. As her family and community grieve her loss, they call for accountability from the authorities, demanding that the Bready landfill be searched for more bodies and declared a memorial site.

The protest in downtown Winnipeg and outside the Winnipeg police headquarters on Friday was a powerful display of community solidarity and grief for the loss of Ms. Beardy and all Indigenous women and girls who have been victims of violence. As Indigenous leaders, community members, and allies came together to demand justice and action, they sent a powerful message to the government and the broader public: that the safety and dignity of Indigenous women and communities cannot be ignored or neglected any longer.

Moving forward, it is clear that much more needs to be done to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. The calls for justice outlined in the MMIWG inquiry must be implemented, and Indigenous women and communities must be at the forefront of this work. Governments, law enforcement agencies, and the broader society must also acknowledge and address the root causes of this crisis, including colonialism, racism, and economic marginalization.

As we continue to mourn the loss of Linda Mary Beardy and all Indigenous women and girls who have been victims of violence, we must also commit ourselves to the urgent work of creating a more just and equitable society for all. This work will be long and difficult, but it is essential if we are to build a future where all Indigenous people can live with safety, dignity, and respect. As the protest in downtown Winnipeg on Friday made clear, the fight for justice and change will continue until these goals are achieved.