News release
Update - RCMP investigating break and enter to the water treatment plant in Garden Hill First Nation
May 5, 2026
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Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba
From: Manitoba RCMP
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On April 30, 2026, upon further investigation, Island Lake RCMP with the assistance of Manitoba RCMP North District Forensic Investigative Services and Manitoba RCMP North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Team (CREST) officers arrested three males without incident.
The Manitoba RCMP takes incidents like this very seriously. Additional resources were deployed to the community to quickly locate and arrest those responsible after damage was sustained to a critical piece of infrastructure in the community.
Search warrants were executed at two separate residences in the community where tools were located and seized.
Paul Harper, 18, from Garden Hill First Nation, was remanded and charged with the following:
- Breaking and entering with intent
- Theft over $5,000
- Mischief over $5,000 – damage to property
- Fail to comply with undertaking condition
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Keno Gifton, 20, from Garden Hill First Nation, was released on an undertaking and charged with:
- Breaking and entering with intent
- Theft over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Cameron Morningstar, 53, from Oxford House was released on an appearance and charged with possession of property obtained by crime, less than or equal $5,000.
Work and testing have been completed at the water treatment plant, and the water has been deemed safe to drink.
The Manitoba RCMP thanks the community of Garden Hill First Nation for their patience and cooperation.
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Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba May 1, 2026
2026-559956
RCMP investigating break and enter to the water treatment plant in Garden Hill First Nation
On April 29, 2026, at 9:00 am, Island Lake RCMP received a report of a break-in at the Garden Hill First Nation water treatment plant.
Officers attended to the scene and were advised that suspects entered the building, sometime in the early morning hours, and caused damage to some of the machinery, rendering it inoperable.
It was also reported that numerous power tools, necessary for the plants operation and valued at over $100,000, were stolen.
Anyone who may have information on this break-in is asked to contact the Island Lake RCMP Detachment at 204-456-2626.