First Nations leaders offer sympathies after girl’s death

Two First Nation leaders are offering their condolences to the family of a four-year-old girl who died under suspicious circumstances in Long Plain First Nation.

“The death of a child is unimaginable, and our thoughts are first and foremost with these children, their family and everyone who has been affected by this devastating situation,” said a joint statement from Long Plain Chief David Meeches and Waywayseecappo Chief Murray Clearsky.

RCMP were sent to a home on the First Nation, located approximately 110 kilometres west of Winnipeg, Sunday morning, and found three children in distress, including the four-year-old who required emergency treatment. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other girls — a one-year-old and a two-year-old — were taken to hospital. Both are now in stable condition.

The statement said the community has many questions and concerns about the situation, which is now under investigation.

“It is important that the investigative process be allowed to proceed thoroughly, independently, and without speculation,” it said.

The First Nations said they would not offer any further comment on the death and injuries.

The children’s mother, whom the Free Press spoke to by phone while she was at Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg with her two daughters Tuesday, said she was working to get the kids back in her care after they were apprehended in October 2025 by child welfare officials.

The mother said she raised concerns after visiting her children in February. She said she noticed her four-year-old had a black eye, two others had bruises and she was worried they were all malnourished.

She said she sent photos of the injuries to staff, but “nobody listened to me.”

The Free Press is not identifying the mother to protect the identity of the children in care.

The woman said she completed programs that would have enabled her to care for her children.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no charges had been laid.

Manitoba’s Advocate for Children and Youth has also been notified of the death and Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said Tuesday her office will also be launching an investigation into the matter.

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca