“It is encouraging to know that along with a search for the late Ashlee Shingoose, a renewed search will take place for the late Tanya Nepinak… it is essential their families receive closure.”
~Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2025
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) stands with the family of the late Ashlee Shingoose, also known as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman), along with the family of the late Tanya Nepinak.
“Our thoughts are with the family and all those who loved Ashlee Shingoose and Tanya Nepinak,” shared Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Today, Ashlee’s family is attending a special sitting at the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench to share their victim impact statements before the court. On behalf of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, we extend our prayers and love to the Shingoose family as you continue to grieve the loss of your loved one.”
Chief Justice Glenn Joyal of the Court of King’s Bench arranged a special hearing so that Ashlee’s family could read their victim impact statements. SCO commends the efforts of Justice Joyal to create this space for Ashlee’s family to share how the loss of this young woman has impacted, and continues to impact, them.
“Ashlee’s life was sacred. Tanya’s life was sacred. SCO is deeply saddened by the loss of these young woman, along with the loss of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, and Marcedes Myran. These women mattered and they were loved. SCO continues to advocate for all levels of governments to work with urgency to end the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people,” said Grand Chief Daniels.
SCO expresses gratitude to all those who have searched the Prairie Green Landfill to bring our relatives home, as well as to those who are preparing to search the Brady Landfill for Ashlee Shingoose of St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation along with the late Tanya Nepinak of Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation).
“We are grateful to the many advocates and family members who have called for, and supported, the search of the landfills for our relatives. It is encouraging to know that along with a search for Ashlee Shingoose, a renewed search will take place for the late Tanya Nepinak, who went missing more than a decade ago,” stated Grand Chief Daniels. “It is essential their families recieve closure. Thank you to everyone who has supported the search of the Brady Landfill for these missing women.”
To learn more about the national emergency of MMIWG2S+ and to find resources related to violence prevention, please visit our website.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
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Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca