Winnipeg Police pursue cases involving missing and murdered aboriginal woman – CP

Source: The Canadian Press
Jan 9, 2015

Winnipeg police say they are actively pursuing several cases involving missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Supt. Danny Smyth told the Winnipeg Police board Friday that city police have been working with RCMP since 2009 in a task force that focuses solely on unsolved homicides in Manitoba of women and missing women suspected to be victims of homicides.

He said there are 29 files, with eight involving aboriginal women.

The Winnipeg Police Board last month voted unanimously to make the protection of indigenous women and girls a priority for the city’s police force.

The decision followed the November attack on 16-year-old Rinelle Harper, who was beaten and left for dead on a walking trail in Winnipeg, and the killing in August of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine.

Smyth said Winnipeg police deal with about 6,500 missing persons files every year, most of them involving youths. (Winnipeg Free Press)

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