On September 18, 2026, the Mayor of Winnipeg presented the Mayor's Award of Valour to two local residents, Jayclyn Morrissette and Brady Saunders, in recognition of their courageous rescue of a father and his child from the Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The ceremony took place in Winnipeg, marking a formal acknowledgment of the pair’s actions that occurred roughly a month earlier. Morrissette and Saunders entered the water after the father and child were swept downstream, pulling them to safety. Their quick response prevented a likely tragedy and demonstrated the kind of community bravery the award is intended to honor.
The Mayor’s Award of Valour is reserved for citizens who exhibit extraordinary courage in the face of danger. By presenting the award to Morrissette and Saunders, city officials highlighted the importance of swift, self‑less action during emergencies. The recognition also serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks posed by the Red River during periods of high flow, and the vital role ordinary residents can play in protecting one another.
The event concluded with the mayor congratulating the recipients and encouraging continued vigilance among Winnipeg’s residents. Morrissette and Saunders remain modest about their involvement, emphasizing that they acted instinctively when they saw the family in distress. Their deeds have been recorded as a notable example of local heroism in Winnipeg’s recent history.