In this episode, we delve into the heart-wrenching stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in North America, including the tragic case of 14-year-old Emily Pike, whose life was brutally cut short in Arizona. We also examine the devastating murders of four Indigenous women in Winnipeg by Jeremy Skibicki, highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to these crimes. Through these cases, we explore the broader crisis affecting Indigenous communities and the urgent need for justice and change.

The legacy of residential schools plays a significant role in this crisis. These institutions, which forcibly assimilated Indigenous children into Euro-American culture, have left a lasting impact of intergenerational trauma and cultural disruption. The physical and emotional abuse experienced by survivors has contributed to cycles of violence and vulnerability, exacerbating the risks faced by Indigenous women and girls today. By understanding this historical context, we can better address the ongoing challenges and work towards healing and justice for affected communities.

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Sources:

2022 Winnipeg Serial Killings (n.d.). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Winnipeg_serial_killings

Bernhardt, D. (2025, February 27). ‘I Want My Mom’ Says Daughter of Woman Slain by Serial Killer, After Possible Remains Found in Landfill. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/it-s-a-heavy-day-says-cousin-of-woman-slain-by-serial-killer-after-possible-human-remains-found-in-landfill/ar-AA1zViFC?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Christensen, D. & Irving, K. (Producers) & Wolochatiuk, T. (Director). (2012). We Were Children [Film]. Eagle Vision.

Cunningham, D. (2025, February 27). Remains Believed to be Two Missing Indigenous Women Found in Manitoba Landfill. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/remains-believed-to-be-two-missing-murdered-indigenous-women-found-in-manitoba-landfill/ar-AA1zUTxy?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Davila, V. & Hautamaki, N. (2022, October 18). USA vs Canada: A History of Residential School in North America. https://un-aligned.org/human-rights/residential-schools-in-canada-and-the-us/

De Young, L. (2025, March 7). Indigenous Community Rallies Around Slain San Carlos Apache Teen Emily Pike. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa-breaking/2025/03/07/community-mourns-indigenous-teen-emily-pike/81591423007/

Gable, S. (2025, March 2). Horrifying Update in Case of Teenage Girl Who Went Missing in Arizona. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14454045/emily-pike-arizona-missing-update.html

Hoye, B. (2024, May 9). ‘I Killed 4 People’: A Look at Winnipeg Serial Killer’s 20-Hour Confession Video. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/jeremy-skibicki-winnipeg-police-interrogation-confession-video-1.7198795

Joseph, A. (2021). A Modern Trail of Tears: The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Crisis in the US. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102136

Kassie, E. & Quinn, K. (Producers) & NoiseCat, J. (Director). (2024). Sugarcane [Film]. National Geographic Documentary Films.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. (n.d.). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_and_Murdered_Indigenous_Women

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): Across the United States and Canada Native Women and Girls are Being Taken or Murdered at an Unrelenting Rate. (n.d.). Native Hope. https://www.nativehope.org/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-mmiw/

Orozco, S. (2025, February 26). Possible Human Remains Found at Manitoba Landfill Where Search Underway for Slain First Nations Women. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/potential-human-remains-prairie-green-landfill-1.7469514

Petrosky E, Mercer Kollar LM, Kearns MC, et al. (2021). Homicides of American Indians/Alaska Natives — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003–2018. MMWR Surveill Summ 2021, 70(No. SS-8), 1–19. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7008a1

Pope, C., & Smiley, M. (Directors). (2014). Highway of Tears [Film]. Finesse Films and Paracas Independent Films.

Winnipeg: A Daughter’s Quest to Find Her Mother’s Remains. (2023, July 27). https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66317924