Unidentified victim of alleged serial killer in Winnipeg to be called Buffalo Woman
The unidentified victim of an alleged Winnipeg serial killer will be called Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe or Buffalo Woman.
At a vigil on Sunday for the four Indigenous women believed to be killed at the hands of an alleged serial killer, MLA Bernadette Smith explained that a group called Medicine Bear consulted in ceremony with community members to come up with the name.
Smith said they don’t want someone to be referred to as “unidentified,” adding that this woman is somebody’s loved one, and is part of their community.
“For us, a life is sacred and we have to honour that,” she said.
“When you go into ceremony and you’re seeking a name, Buffalo Woman is often the name you’re given until they find your name. So we wanted to honour that.”
The Winnipeg Police Service released a statement on Monday, saying they will refer to the victim as Buffalo Woman – Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe as a sign of respect and at the request of community advocates, knowledge keepers and elders.
Police added that officers will be meeting with family leadership and representatives and won’t provide further comments until these meetings have taken place.
Last week, police announced four Indigenous women – Rebecca Contois, Marcedes Myran, Morgan Beatrice Harris, and Buffalo Woman – were killed by an alleged serial killer.
The women are believed to have been killed between March and May of 2022.
Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki is facing four charges of first-degree murder. His lawyer said his client maintains his innocence.
None of the charges against Skibicki have been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.