Search continues for missing Saskatoon woman, boy

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says Dawn Walker is never more than a phone call away.

That’s how many members of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations who worked with Walker, as well as friends and family, knew something wasn’t right.

“She’s always been diligent with her communication skills,” Cameron told the media on Monday. “It was a daily thing to hear from her or give her a call. So everybody knew something was wrong.”

Walker was last seen Friday night in Saskatoon. Police believe she may be with a seven-year-old boy.

Walker is an FSIN employee whom Cameron called the “quarterback” for the organization; she has been its chief of staff for a decade.

During Monday morning’s media conference, Ballroom A at the Saskatoon Inn was filled with people who were emotional about Walker’s disappearance.

Sniffling could be heard around the room throughout the conference and several speakers noted in their comments that it was difficult for them to speak about Walker’s disappearance because of how emotional the situation is.

People trying to reach Walker haven’t heard from her in several days. After searches through the night Sunday, Saskatoon police shared a Ford F150 truck and some of Walker’s possessions were found near the riverbank on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

Cameron said a blanket was one of the items found located — “evidence of recreational activity,” according to Deputy Chief Randy Huisman with the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS).

A passerby had found Walker’s purse in the same area and turned it in to the RCMP.

Cameron shared Walker’s dog at home had defecated and urinated around the house and was barking, alone, after Walker’s disappearance.

Cameron said Walker was supposed to leave Sunday for the Pope’s visit in Alberta, but her suitcase and an iPad were still at the home.

“You know something is wrong when you feel it in your gut, when you feel it in your heart when someone is missing when they didn’t respond, when they didn’t communicate, when they usually do,” Cameron said.

Cameron said the FSIN issued its own Amber Alert, separate from the official system police use to alert the public to a missing child.

“(We) know that it wasn’t the official system, but it’s our official system,” Cameron said. “When the word is out there on social media, to mainstream media, that is an Amber Alert because you’re getting the news out there.”

Huisman said an Amber Alert was not issued for the disappearance of Walker and the boy — though it was considered — because that alert requires the investigation to have confirmed an abduction took place.

The investigation is a “broad” one at this point, Huisman said, with police unable to discern yet if foul play is involved.

Police and Cameron said there is hope that Walker and the boy are alive.

“We continue to remain optimistic and have hope that she and (the boy) are safe and sound and (will) come back to us,” Cameron said.

Searches are happening by air and water currently in the area where Walker’s belongings were found. The Saskatoon police, who are leading the investigation, are asking for assistance from anyone who might have information that could help them find Walker and the boy.