The Shadows of History: MMIW and the Legacy of Residential Schools

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. --- Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast Send your questions and episode suggestions to [email protected]  Have a special experience or story you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode! --- 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