“We stand with this family as they seek answers, accountability, and justice for their loved one.”
~Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 6, 2026
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is standing alongside the family of 25-year-old Kiana Everett. The Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation citizen died while in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.
“Our hearts are with Kiana’s family, friends, and the entire community of Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “No family should have to endure the loss of a loved one while carrying unanswered questions about the care that person received, even while in custody. We stand with Kiana’s family as they seek answers, accountability, and justice.”
According to published reports, Kiana choked and stopped breathing while in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre overnight on June 20th, before she was taken off life support on July 1st. Her death has since been reported to the office of Manitoba’s Chief Medical Examiner, as required by law. Officials from the remand centre also claim she was being checked every 30 minutes.
Kiana’s death is also the third at the remand centre in just over a year.
“This tragic event shows the remand centre and the provincial justice system are falling tragically short when it comes to incarceration and that lives are being lost due to this gross negligence,” added Grand Chief Daniels.
Kiana’s family has requested SCO’s support as they seek answers through ongoing investigations and reviews of her time spent at the Remand Centre. Staff from SCO’s Justice Program are working alongside the family to help ensure their concerns are heard and that they have access to appropriate advocacy and support throughout the process.
SCO demands that the remand centre fully implement Call for Justice 1.6, which ensures Indigenous women are safe and supported, especially while they are custody.
SCO is also calling for a comprehensive review of the circumstances and events leading to Kiana’s arrest. SCO needs to be informed whether all appropriate protocols were followed and if systemic barriers contributed to her death.
“Kiana was loved by her family and community,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “Her life mattered. We owe it to her memory to ensure that every question is examined carefully and that any lessons arising from this tragedy help protect other relatives who become involved in the justice system.”
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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