Candlelight vigil shares sorrow, hope for missing woman

Indigenous community members want to know how many vigils they will have to attend for their people.

A couple hundred people gathered with candlesticks encased by paper cups to protect hands against flames and hot wax to pay tribute to Dawn Walker and a seven-year-old boy. Both have been missing since late last week.

Elder Tootoosis opened the vigil with a prayer before speakers like FSIN fourth vice chief Heather Bear and third vice chief Aly Bear spoke, sharing their frustrations, disbelief and sorrow with those gathered.

Staff sergeant district manager Greg Abbott with the RCMP speaks with a woman at the candlelight vigil for Dawn Walker on July 26, 2022. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

Numerous speakers said they never imagined a moment like this, where they would be personally impacted by a missing Indigenous woman.

“This is just another wakeup call,” Aly Bear shared. “But we don’t need another wakeup call.”

Heather Bear told the crowd that the why behind Walker’s disappearance is still unknown, but a history of violence and a history of abuse is known about Walker’s background.

In an interview after the vigil, Bear said the abuse Walker experienced was ongoing even in the time leading up to her disappearance.

“Let this vigil tell you that we know how you treated her,” Bear said to the crowd. “Let this vigil tell you that we love her. And let this vigil tell you to do the right thing and be accountable for losing someone very important, very special.”

Heather emphasized a message to authorities: Leave no stone unturned.

A few verses of Amazing Grace were sung by the crowd and a song was drummed to close the evening.

Mental health services and elders were on site to help people struggling with Walker and the boy’s disappearance — services Bear said she herself needs during this time.

She noted that FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron, FSIN executives and staff are all hurting because of Walker’s absence.

One speaker noted that Walker’s passion was her work with FSIN.

“Keep in contact, constant contact. It’s a lesson we have to learn the hard way,” she shared with emotion in her voice. “Love each other.”