Remains those of Melanie Geddes

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The family and friends of Melanie Dawn Geddes are mourning the loss of the young woman and the RCMP have launched a murder investigation to try to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

Geddes, who was 24 years old and a mother to three young children, had been missing since Aug. 13, 2005. She had been attending a party on the 900 block of Robinson Street in Regina and left at around 1 a.m. to walk home, but never made it to her destination. Her family reported her missing to the Regina Police Service the next day.

On Dec. 20, 2005, a group of people riding horses discovered human remains in a field southeast of Southey, along the banks of the Qu'Appelle River. At the time RCMP indicated the remains were those of an adult female but further forensic testing was required to identify the deceased.

On Feb. 1, RCMP announced the results of those tests, confirming the remains were those of Geddes. RCMP Major Crimes investigators have begun reviewing the work done by the Regina Police during their investigation into Geddes' disappearance, and will continue to work to try to identify who is responsible for her death.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Chief Alphonse Bird issued a statement following the RCMP announcement identifying the remains as those of Geddes, offering condolences to the family on behalf of the FSIN executive, member nations, senate and staff.

"First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Melanie Geddes. All First Nations mourn with the family," he said. "We will continue to support and work co-operatively with all government agencies and police departments to ensure that justice is served. Our message is that violence against First Nations women will not be tolerated. We expect and want the assurance that the justice system will also enforce this message."

The FSIN's Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Commission has been working with Melanie Geddes' family and George Gordon and Kinistin First Nations since Geddes went missing.

Okanese First Nation Chief Marie-Anne DayWalker-Pelltier, who chairs the commission, also issued a statement in reaction to the news. "There is a victimization that is happening to our First Nations women that is plaguing both our urban and on-reserve communities," she said. "Finding the remains of Melanie Geddes is only one step in solving this particular tragedy. We expect the police services to continue to fully investigate all circumstances that lead up to and including the disappearance of our women. Until that time we still urge caution to all people to practice safety in their everyday activities."

The Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women's Circle Corporation (SAWCC) has also been working to support the family since Geddes' disappearance.

"They said they are coping with it as best they can," said Judy Hughes, vice-president of SAWCC. "In terms of what SAWCC can do at this point is providing our support and resources and making ourselves available to assist them with funeral arrangements and any other kind of advice or information that they require during this time."

The organization is also hoping to be able to organize a vigil to coincide with Geddes' funeral, but are awaiting approval from the family before proceeding.

Geddes is just one of 28 women who had been listed as missing in Saskatchewan, many of whom are Aboriginal. In November 2005, the Saskatchewan government announced creation of a task force to help solve missing persons cases in the province. That announcement included funding to hire eight new police officers to work specifically on missing persons cases.