Third Misipawistik Cree Nation boater found dead, bringing sombre end to weeks-long search

The third man of a trio of northern Manitoba boaters who went missing near the end of June has been found dead, the chief of Misipawistik Cree Nation says.

Delaney McGillvary, 29,was found Sunday morning, bringing an end to a weeks-long search for the three men, Chief Heidi Cook told CBC News.

"It was a day of mixed emotions for sure. There's a really great sense of reliefand gratitude that we found him, but also the sadness," she said.

"We've been almost in this suspended state of grief for a while so now it's time for us to exhale and move on to grieving for the last of the young men that were lost," she said.

The three menfrom Misipawistik, on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, set off together by boat to the north basin of the lakeon June 27. They didn't return home that night andlocal fishermen began a search the next day.

The body of Tyler Ballantyne, 31, was found in the water June 29 and the body of Rayden Dickwas found July 17.

Cook said the boat was alsofound the day after Dick's body was recovered. RCMP divers searched the area where the boat was found for a few daysbut weren't able to findMcGillvary's body at the time, she said.

His bodywas eventually found Sunday "not anywhere near where the boat was," Cook said.

She said she's grateful for the support from communities all over Lake Winnipeg and across the province who stepped up to help throughoutthe search.

She also said the community has received "incredible support" from the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team, a non-profit organization andcharitable organizationwho were there for the recovery ofDick andMcGillvary's bodies.

"They used their boat to help bring those young men out of the water," she said.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs also said in a social media post Sundaythat it continuesto "pray for peace and healing for all the family and friends of the three fishermen who tragically passed away."

The AMCalso extended its gratitude to theHutterian team for "their tireless efforts in finding our loved ones."

Meanwhile, Cook said in times of loss people are always reminded how important it is to be grateful for every day and to "always tell your people that you care about that you love them."

"We never know what could happen," she said. "We want other people to know that they're loved and they're valued."