First Nation woman dies alongside two Correctional Service Canada officers during transport

A collision near Provost, Alta., has claimed the lives of a Cree inmate and two officers with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Grieving relatives have identified the woman as Kiara Dawn Mooswa, 25, a member of Poundmaker First Nation and the CSC confirmed her identity on its website. “On August 6, 2026, Kiara Mooswa, an inmate from Edmonton Institution for Women, died while in our custody. At the time of death, the inmate was 24 years old and had been serving a sentence of seven years and 20 days since April 11, 2024,” the CSC said. A number of posts on social media reacted to her death. “… been crying off and on all day. Life’s going to be so weird with out you. Going to miss our laughs and your phone calls,” wrote Shaay Moccasin. The CSC has not identified the two officers as of the posting of this story. According to RCMP, the collision took place northwest of Provost, a town near the Saskatchewan border about 285 km southeast of Edmonton Thursday morning at 11:22 a.m. “Provost RCMP responded to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 41, along with Hughenden Fire Department and Wainwright RCMP. Upon arrival, it was determined that the collision was between a Hino Box Truck with a lone driver, and a Correctional Service Canada mini van occupied by two Correctional Officers and a female inmate,” a news release said. “As a result of the collision, the three occupants of the Correctional Service Canada van, a 25-year-old female resident of Winnipeg, a 57-year-old male resident of Sherwood Park and a 24-year-old female resident of North Battleford, were confirmed deceased at the scene. The driver of the box truck was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.” The RCMP Collision Reconstructionist attended the scene and the cause of the collision remains under investigation. A map showing the area where a Correctional Services Canada transport vehicle and Hino truck collided, killing a female inmate and two correctional services officers. Photo: APTN News According to a source close to Mooswa’s family, she was being transported to the Healing Lodge in Maple Creek, Sask. at the time of the collision. A Correctional Services Canada spokesperson declined to comment on the destination of the transport during an online media availability Friday afternoon. Lawrence Hartigan, the acting regional deputy commissioner for the CSC said notifications have been made to the families, but they will not be releasing the names of the victims of the crash at this time. Hartigan indicated an ASIRT investigation of the circumstances will be part of the investigations going forward. CSC is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two officers and an offender in a tragic accident during a transfer from Edmonton Institution for Women. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/CZDBsPYs66 — Correctional Service (@CSC_SCC_en) August 7, 2026 The acting district officer for the RCMP in  eastern Alberta, James Morton said “we’ve gone the extra steps of reaching out to the families providing victim services support.” A report by SaskToday.ca said Mooswa began serving a sentence for manslaughter in the death of another woman. 32-year-old Kaylee Crookedneck from Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation was killed on June 16, 2023 in North Battleford. “The Alberta RCMP offers our sympathies to everyone affected by this tragic event.  We extend our support to our fellow officers at Correctional Service Canada as they mourn their friends and colleagues and send our condolences to the loved ones of all three individuals whose lives were lost yesterday,” said Wayne Nichols, the acting commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP. The union representing the two correctional workers also issued a news release. “At this time, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the RCMP,” said the release from the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN). “Out of respect for that investigation and for the families involved, UCCO-SACC-CSN will not speculate on the events that led to this tragedy. We understand there are many questions, but it is essential that the investigative process be allowed to proceed without interference.” Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge, which may have been the destination of Mooswa’s transport, is located on the Nekaneet First Nation, near Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. “The Healing Lodge is 150 kilometres from the nearest large city, Medicine Hat, Alberta and over 400 kilometres from other Correctional Service Canada (CSC) facilities. The practices, culture and values of the Nekaneet are taught to the residents. There are many traditional ceremonies at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge,” according to the CSC website. Mooswa leaves behind three young children. More to come Continue Reading