SCO Condemns Release of Serial Killer, Demands Stricter Sentencing for Violence Against First Nations Women

November 13, 2025

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) expresses deep sorrow and frustration following the statutory release of serial killer Shawn Lamb. Out of respect for the families, SCO will not revisit the details of the case but acknowledges the significant harm and trauma resurfacing across our Nations as a result of the decision.

Lamb’s return to the community highlights an ongoing reluctance to treat the deaths and disappearances of First Nations women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse peoples with urgency. Winnipeg continues to be at the centre of this crisis, accounting for 14 per cent of national cases of missing Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people, despite Indigenous peoples making up only 12.4 per cent of the city’s population (2021 Census, Thomson Reuters).

“The safeguards within Canada’s colonial justice system still treat First Nations women and girls as disposable,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “We are thinking of the Sinclair, Blacksmith, and Nepinak families. How can society claim that the MMIWG2S+ emergency is a priority when self-declared murderers are released after serving only two-thirds of their sentences? First Nations women and girls are not disposable, and the justice system must change to reflect that truth.”

The Parole Board of Canada acknowledged that Lamb would present an “undue risk to society” in transitional housing. Yet statutory release still placed him back into the public, despite his long history of violent offences including assault, sexual assault, and robbery. This contradiction reveals a justice structure more responsive to administrative timelines than public safety or accountability.

It has been six years since the release of the 231 Calls for Justice, yet Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse peoples continue to experience violence and death at six times the rate of non-Indigenous women across Turtle Island. These realities are the result of systems that have refused to change.

True justice requires structural reform:

• A review and strengthening of statutory release provisions for violent offenders;
• Implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice across all levels of government;
• Sentencing and release decisions that reflect the gravity of violence perpetrated against First Nations women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people; and
• First Nations-led oversight to ensure accountability and community safety.

Lamb’s release is not justice. It is a systemic failure that puts First Nations peoples and the public at risk. SCO stands with Survivors, families, and all those affected by today’s decision, and remains steadfast in its commitment to meaningful reforms.

SCO provides culturally grounded supports and information for citizens impacted by the national emergency of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S+). Contact the MMIWG2S+ intake team at 431-294-0366 or mmiwgintake@scoinc.mb.ca.

If any SCO Nations are experiencing a crisis or emergency related to gender-based violence, they can reach out to SCO’s Mobile Crisis Response Team. To reach out, contact the team toll-free at 1-877-SCO-2880 (1-877-726-2880) or by email at: crisisresponse@scoinc.mb.ca

Immediate emotional support is available through the national, independent MMIWG2S+ crisis line at 1-844-413-6649. Copies of the 231 Calls for Justice are available online and at SCO’s office at 1572 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg.

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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.

For media inquiries:

Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

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