Northern Manitoba plane crash victims remembered by community
Posted September 15, 2025 4:47 pm.
Last Updated September 15, 2025 6:53 pm.
The victims in a plane crash in northern Manitoba are being remembered as parents with a strong sense of community.
Two couples from St. Theresa Point First Nation, the men of which were cousins, were heading out on a camping trip to get ready for hunting season Saturday evening.
But their plane, an all-purpose bush plane, crashed about 40 kilometres from where it took off as it attempted to make the short flight from St. Theresa Point to Makepeace Lake.
Ella and Nestor Monias were parents of four. Ella cleaned at a local school, and Nestor was a carpenter.
Rena and Bradley Monias were also parents. Rena was a resource teacher at an early years’ school, and Bradley was a former band councillor turned bus driver.
The community organized a tribute to him on Monday, shutting down the main road for a slow processing of school buses.
Chief Raymond Flett of St. Theresa Point First Nation described all four victims as people who helped anyone who needed.
“They were really active in the community, helping people, and they shared their wealth. That was a priority for them,” said Chief Flett. “We’re still in shock.”
Residents from St. Theresa Point say their grief is profound.
“It’s a lot of emotional environment. We’re trying to pull together and process what just happened,” said Chief Fleet.
Grand Chief Garrison Settee of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which oversees many northern First Nations but not St. Theresa Point, said in a statement they stand with the community and share in the deep sorrow felt across the region.
Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board will be on site later this week as Island Lake RCMP continue to investigate what might’ve happened.
The pilot, a 20-year-old man, survived. The company that operates the plane, Alair MHA Enterprises, confirmed it was their plane but declined further comment.
