Winnipeg, Manitoba — In an unusual move, a Manitoba court is set to hear victim impact statements from the family of Ashlee Shingoose on Friday August 15, 2025, nearly one year after her killer's trial and sentencing.
Shingoose, a 30-year-old woman — who had been given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, before she was finally identified on March 26, 2025, was the first of four First Nations women murdered by serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. He was convicted on four counts of first-degree murder in July 2024.
Family members of his other victims — Morgan Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26, both originally from Long Plain First Nation, and Rebecca Contois, 24, a member of O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation, gave impact statements at Skibicki's sentencing last year.
Marc Kruse, the director of the Indigenous legal learning and services at the University of Manitoba's law school, said the hearing is unique and significant.
"From a common-law perspective, it's almost rounding out the factual findings, and allowing the record to be complete," Kruse said.
"From an Indigenous legal order perspective and restorative justice perspective, this is an opportunity for the family to have their story told, and how it's impacted them heard by the court."
Skibicki was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. Nothing said in the hearing will affect his sentencing, and he is not expected to attend, although the court said his counsel will be there.
His trial last year, presided over by Court of King's Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal — who will also preside over Friday's hearing — incorporated traditional First Nations practices, such as smudging and placing a headdress on the Crown attorney's table.
