Vigil held for Marcedes Myran ahead of Skibicki trial
Family, friends and Indigenous leaders came together on Sunday night to honour the life and memory of Marcedes Myran.
A vigil was held for Myran in downtown Winnipeg, with those in attendance also providing support to each other ahead of Jeremy Skibicki’s trial.
Skibicki has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Myran, Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris and an unidentified victim who has been given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe or Buffalo Woman. None of the charges have been proven in court.
Cathy Merrick, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), said she wanted to show her support for Myran’s family as the trial is set to begin.
“It’s very important that we be here, to support, to be able to pray with them, to be able to ensure that everything moves forward as good as it can,” she said in an interview at the vigil. “We have to rely on prayer moving forward.”
In order to help the grieving families, Merrick noted that the province has allocated funds to help them get through the trial with cultural and emotional supports. The government will also cover lodging expenses for family members who want to stay in Winnipeg to attend the trial.
“It’s much needed in all our communities, in all our nations that we are able to provide that mental support, that spiritual support and that cultural support,” Merrick said.
“To be able to go into ceremony and to be able to sit there and just be able to pray to Creator for a good outcome.”
The remains of Myran and Harris are believed to be in the Prairie Green Landfill, which has prompted nationwide calls for a landfill search.
Skibicki’s trial begins on Monday in Winnipeg.
- With files from CTV’s Alexandra Holyk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Kingston, Ont. tenants fed up with lack of action from landlord over broken floor tiles
Joel Felder and Misti Pitcher have been living in their apartment in Kingston, Ont. for over two years, but the past 12 months have been miserable.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
North Korea informs Japan of a plan to launch military spy satellite
North Korea has told Japan it plans to launch a satellite by early next week, an apparent effort to put its second military spy satellite into orbit.