SCO Honours Mackaylah Gerard-Roussin, Calls for Change After Red Dress Day Conviction

Press Release

May 5, 2026

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) acknowledges today’s first-degree murder conviction in the death of Mackaylah Gerard-Roussin, a member of Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation. The timing of this decision on Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit, and Gender-Diverse People (MMIWG2S+), carries profound weight.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mackaylah Gerard-Roussin, and our thoughts are with her family, her loved ones, and her Nation during this incredibly difficult time.

“This is a painful reminder that too often, systems only respond after harm has already happened,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Accountability cannot be the first point of intervention. Our people should be protected long before harm ever reaches this point.”

A conviction does not restore what has been taken, nor does it undo the harm carried by families and Nations. SCO’s focus remains with those living with this loss.

This loss is felt deeply across our Nations.

“For First Nations, this is not an isolated moment,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “It reflects a broader pattern that requires structural change that prioritizes safety and prevention before tragedy occurs.”

SCO honours the life of Mackaylah Gerard-Roussin, who was taken, and stands with her family, her Nation, Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation, and all those impacted.

“We will continue to focus on ensuring the safety, dignity, and protection of our people,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “That must be the expectation, and not the exception.”

Red Dress Day is a call to confront the ongoing violence facing First Nations women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. Today’s outcome reinforces that this crisis is immediate, personal, and continues to impact families and Nations across the territory.

“Our expectation is that systems work to ensure our people are safe in the first place,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “This means prioritizing prevention, strengthening supports, and advancing approaches grounded in the realities our Nations face every day.”

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 92,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:

Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

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