ASHLEE’S STORY

The Anishininew mother, Ashlee Shingoose, went missing in 2022. She was identified as one of the

victims of a serial killer convicted for the murders of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, both of Long

Plain Nation, in March. At that time, she had not been identified and was named Maskode Bizhiki’ikwe

(Buffalo Woman). After her identity was revealed, the Premier of Manitoba vowed to enact a probe of

the Brady Road land fill.

The Shingoose family spent three years wondering where their relative was. Albert Shingoose, Ashlee’s

father stated “It’s been a long time, waiting. I need to bring her home, I need that closure, it’s been too

long, enough.” “Search the landfill as soon as possible. I know it will take time and it’s going to get

harder. This new update, it takes me back. It’s hard reliving the hurt.” “The landfill, it’s not the burial

ground for anybody. We’re not garbage. Nobody is garbage.” Ashlee’s mother spoke about how the

family has been coping. “It’s too hard to lose your daughter not knowing where she is.” “What kept me

going is, I do my sweats in the lodge, and this is what carried my prayers.”

On Wednesday, August 13 th , during a private ceremony, Winnipeg police gave Ashlee’s parents the

jacket investigators believe she wore. Ashlee’s father expressed at a news conference “That was one

step ahead to give us that strength to carry on.”

A special court hearing for the family and community of Ashlee was held on August 15 th . Ashlee’s father

says he is still “angry and frustrated.” He told the court that he wanted to look the perpetrator in the

eye, I would say to him, ‘I want an eye for an eye, you took away my Ashlee.” The perpetrator’s lawyer

told the court that his client believed attending would “bring further harm” to the Shingoose family. The

perpetrator targeted the women at homeless shelters in Winnipeg and disposed of their bodies in

garbage bins.

The voice of a woman whose identity was unknown for so long rang out across the courtroom. Ashlee’s

parents finally got to deliver their victim impact statements and played one of the final messages she

sent them before her murder.

“Mom, I’m trying my best, and I will never stop trying,” referring to her struggles with substance use and

her hopes to build a better life for her children. “But all I know is people who use, and it’s not easy for

me to just stand out. I feel lonely.”

“This pain is forever,” Chief Raymond Flett read from the statement with Ashlee’s parents and

supporters behind him. “What I want, and what I need, is for my daughter to be honoured, her story to

be acknowledged, and for no other family to be left in the dark the way mine has been.”

“This was in no small measure a testament to the efforts of so many people to bear witness on behalf of

Buffalo Woman, on behalf of Ashlee, to ensure she was not forgotten, to ensure that she was treated

with dignity, to ensure she was gifted a name.” – Judge Joyal

“It was a very heavy day for me,” stated Ashlee’s mother in a quiet voice, her husband at times putting

his hand on her back and handing her tissues. “It’s so painful, what has happened.” Ashlee’s father told

the court of the desperation in her search like “screaming into silence.” The test work is underway for

conducting a search of the brady landfill site later this year.

The Shingoose family has finally been given the opportunity to begin their healing journey. As the

search for Ashlee’s remains continues, we support them with our thoughts and prayers during this

difficult time and as they move forward with their endeavors to bring Ashlee home.