On a spring day in 1968, a young Indigenous girl named Bernice Lorraine Redhead was with her family in the remote community of Shamattawa, Manitoba. On May 7th, the family was traveling by a dog sled, a common mode of transportation in the northern regions, guided by their grandfather. Their journey took them across the Gods River, a powerful and often treacherous waterway that winds through the vast landscape of the province.
The ice on the river, weakened by the changing seasons, gave way beneath the weight of the sled, plunging everyone into the frigid water below. A frantic rescue effort ensued in the chaos and numbing cold.
The grandfather, displaying immense courage, managed to pull each of his family members from the grasp of the icy river, saving them from the swift current. Tragically, amidst the desperate struggle for survival, he was unable to reach Bernice. She was swept away by the fast-moving water and disappeared from sight. In the moments that followed the sled breaking through the ice, a family was saved, but one of its youngest members was lost to the powerful river. The community and her family were left with the sudden and heartbreaking absence of a young girl.
The search for Bernice began immediately, but the challenging conditions of the remote area and the relentless flow of the river made the task incredibly difficult. Despite the efforts to find her, she was never located. The incident left a lasting scar on her family and the community of Shamattawa. The story of Bernice Lorraine Redhead's disappearance is a poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of the northern wilderness and the enduring pain experienced by families of missing persons. Her case is an overview of a sudden and tragic event that led to a young life vanishing without a trace, leaving behind unanswered questions and a permanent sense of loss.Last Seen: May 7, 1968
