Inquest Begins as Family Seeks Dignity and Truth for Eishia Hudson
February 3, 2026
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Inquest Begins as Family Seeks Dignity and Truth for Eishia Hudson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, MB (February 2, 2026) – The public inquest into the death of Eishia Hudson begins Monday in Winnipeg.
Eishia Hudson was a 16-year-old Indigenous girl who was deeply loved by her family and community. As the inquest gets underway, her family has asked that the focus remain on honouring Eishia’s life and ensuring the process is carried out with care, dignity, and respect.
“Eishia was loved beyond words and brought light into the lives of everyone who knew her,” said the Hudson family. “As her family, we are here to ensure her life is remembered with dignity and that this process is carried out with the care and respect she deserved.”
The first day of the inquest will begin with opening ceremonial protocols led by Elder Cheryl Alexander and Elder Geraldine Shingoose, with singers Kashina Blacksmith-Seenie and Jaycee Seenie. The Court will also hear from members of Eishia’s family as they provide opening statements to begin the inquest, including William Hudson, Eishia’s father; Mary Ann Hudson, Eishia’s sister; and Sarah Fontaine, Eishia’s former partner.
A public inquest is a non-adversarial process. It is not a criminal trial and does not determine guilt or liability. Its purpose is to examine the circumstances surrounding a death, identify systemic issues, and make recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
“This inquest must be grounded in respect, care, and truth, and it must centre Eishia Hudson as a young person whose life mattered,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “It is essential that this process be conducted with dignity, cultural awareness, and a clear focus on the systemic conditions that continue to place Indigenous lives at risk.”
Throughout the hearings, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has organized cultural and mental-health supports to be available to all those involved in the inquest, including the Hudson family, witnesses, and members of the public, in recognition of the emotional nature of the proceedings.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is supporting the Hudson family by coordinating media inquiries.
The family has requested privacy and will not be participating in media interviews during the public inquest. We ask that their wishes be respected during this difficult time.
Media Contact:
Michael Dick
Director of Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba, with a total of more than 151,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) people.