The Southern Chiefs’ Organization marked Red Dress Day on May 5, 2026, by calling for systemic change to better protect Indigenous citizens, following the first-degree murder conviction of 24-year-old Josh Benoit for the death of Mackaylah Gerard-Roussin. Events to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people were held across member nations, including Peguis First Nation, as community leaders emphasized that justice for the 20-year-old Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation member must be accompanied by a focus on prevention.
Gerard-Roussin, who was an aspiring psychologist and a worker at Rossbrook House, went missing on August 25, 2022. Her remains were discovered days later in a remote area near Woodridge, Manitoba. On May 5, 2026, a court conviction resulted in an automatic life sentence for her killer, with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
During the day of remembrance, Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels stated that accountability cannot be the first point of intervention. He argued that current systems too often wait until tragedy occurs before responding, and he called for structural changes that prioritize safety and prevention for First Nations members. The organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 92,000 citizens across southern Manitoba.
In addition to local ceremonies in communities like Peguis and Long Plain First Nation, approximately 1,000 people participated in a march in Winnipeg. A separate gathering of about 300 people was also held to specifically honour the memory of Gerard-Roussin.
On the same day, the federal government reversed course on recent funding cuts to Indigenous organizations. Following criticism from leadership, the government committed $300,000 toward the development of the Red Dress Alert system and reinstated $2.6 million in funding for the National Family and Survivors Circle.
