Northern Manitoba family seeks answers after sudden death of a 9-year-old, stemming from a broken arm
Posted June 1, 2026 5:24 pm.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is standing with a northern Manitoba First Nation family, who are seeking answers after the sudden death of 9-year-old Mary Bull-Sinclair, stemming from what the family described as complications after Mary suffered a broken arm back in March.
“No family should be left carrying unanswered questions while grieving such a terrible loss,” said Burton Flett, Mary’s uncle.
Mary’s mother, Cerina Bull, added in a statement, “Nothing will ever bring my daughter back, but we need answers. Mary was a happy, healthy little girl who was loved by her family, her siblings, and our community. We trusted that she would receive the care she needed, and today we are left with questions that no parent should ever have to ask. We are sharing Mary’s story because we do not want another family to experience this kind of pain. We want accountability, transparency, and justice for Mary.”
The family says it all started on March 16, when Mary broke her arm tobogganing. She was taken to the Dauphin Regional Health Care Centre, where she was given an arm sling, Tylenol, and discharged.
But in the early morning of March 20, the pain hadn’t gone away, so the family says they took her to the hospital again, and she was given a different sling. They say no blood work was done on either visit. The following day, on March 21, things took a turn for the worst.
“Cerina went to check on Mary soon after; this is when she cried for help, as she noticed Mary’s fingers were turning purple, and blood was coming out of her mouth and her nose. An ambulance was called for Mary, but it was too late,” said Fleet.
SCO says the chief medical examiner is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
“Mary was a cherished member of our Nation, and her loss has deeply impacted our entire community,” said Chief Kerwin Chaboyer, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation. “The questions raised by her family deserve answers, and those answers must come through a transparent and accountable process. First Nations families deserve equitable, culturally safe health care and confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously. We stand with Mary’s family as they seek justice and work to ensure meaningful change comes from this tragedy.”
For Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, it speaks to a broader issue of racism and inequitable treatment within health care for Indigenous people.
“I think that there was a mistreatment here because there should have been at least a blood test done; you know, we should have had a proper diagnosis done prior to when the patient left the hospital,” said Grand Chief Daniels.
“The fact of the matter is I don’t think that proper care was done. And that’s what we want the public to know, and we think the minister and those within the health system need to understand that this is a cultural challenge and reflects the problems we’re still facing on a day-to-day basis in healthcare. That’s why there’s no trust there.”
Prairie Mountain Health declined to comment. A statement from Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara reads, “My hope is that the in-depth autopsy being conducted by the office of the chief medical examiner will help provide some closure. We are also aware that the RCMP is investigating the circumstances surrounding Mary’s death. The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth could also review matters within its mandate and determine whether further action is warranted.”
Fleet says, “Health leaders must take concern seriously. Our family deserves the full understanding of what happened.”
