Manitoba First Nations leaders 'overcome by sadness' after hearing 6-year-old boy was found dead

First Nations leaders are offering condolences and praying for the family of a six-year-old boy who was found dead in a northeastern Manitoba fly-in community. 

"We just pray that the family will be surrounded by people that will comfort and offer words of kindness," Grand Chief Garrison Settee of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak said at a news conference Monday.  

"We were hoping that we would find him alive, but unfortunately, that was not the case, but I'm thankful that so many people stood up and came to help the First Nation."

Searchers in Shamattawa First Nation found Johnson Redhead's remains around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday in a marshy area about 3½ kilometres from the school where he was last seen, an RCMP news release said.

An autopsy has been scheduled and police continue to investigate, they said. 

The boy went missing on Wednesday morning shortly after 9 a.m. He attended a breakfast program at school and didn't show up to class after that, RCMP previously said. 

RCMP in Shamattawa, about 750 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, were contacted about Redhead's disappearance around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Searchers in the community immediately began combing wooded areas, trails, roads and sheds and checking construction equipment, police said.

Members of Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Garden Hill First Nation, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation and Mathias Colomb Cree Nation helped in the large-scale search.

The 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, Winnipeg Volunteer Search and Rescue, RCMP Search and Rescue, people from the Office of the Fire Commissioner and a police dog, two drones and a helicopter also looked for Redhead. 

MKO is sending a crisis team to support the family, community members, people at the school and anyone affected by the tragic news.

"The whole school will be traumatized," Settee said.

"This affected everybody, like, not just Shamattawa. It affected all of Manitoba, even across the nation." 

Manto Sipi Cree Nation Chief Michael Yellowback said as soon as his council heard about the missing boy, they knew they had to do something to help.

Searchers from the First Nation, around 170 kilometres southwest of Shamattawa near the north shore of Gods Lake, had their boots on the ground looking as early as Friday, he said. 

"It just broke my heart. I was overcome by sadness because every day, each morning, I would pray for his safe return, and I can't imagine what the families are going through," Yellowback said. 

"We help out in times like this…. I ask each and every one of you to pray for the family, to pray for the community."

Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot of Keewatin Tribal Council said people from a number of First Nations offered to help search for Redhead.  

"I have three great-grandchildren myself and, knowing this child was out there, every time I was out in the evening, knowing how cold it was, that's where my thoughts were, so we continue to pray for the people," Wastesicoot said.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew also extended his condolences to the family and community in a social media post on Monday. 

"This unimaginable tragedy will be felt deeply by many, and our hearts are with you all during this difficult time," he wrote.