Community rallies to support missing woman and boy with walk

Hundreds walked from Diefenbaker Park to Chief Whitecap Park south of Saskatoon Thursday to show their grief and support for a missing woman and a seven-year-old boy.

Dawn Walker and the boy have been missing since the weekend. Walker’s truck was found by police in the parking lot of Chief Whitecap Park.

Heather Bear, vice chief with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) where Walker works as executive operating officer, said events like Thursday’s walk are very spiritual in nature.

Before the walk, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron broke down sobbing, covering his face with his baseball cap as he was surrounded by loved ones. After a prayer, he addressed the people gathered.

“It’s good to cry,” Cameron said. He said he had kept his sorrow contained since Walker’s disappearance.

“That’s one of our mothers, one of our First Nation women that we’re searching for,” Cameron said.

The group departed around noon from Chief Whitecap Park. After walking for about an hour in scorching summer heat, the group crossed under the Gordie Howe Bridge into Diefenbaker Park.

Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson shared her anger and sadness over Walker’s disappearance. She said Walker is a close friend she has known since university. Walker, she said, had been the victim of domestic violence, and was scared.

“Dawn and (the boy) are gone and we can’t find them,” Culbertson said. “We just want to know if they’re OK.”

Police officers from multiple agencies attended the walk. RCMP Staff Sgt. Greg Abbott said the search area is being expanded, and Supt. Patrick Nogier with the Saskatoon Police Service said the search efforts are leaving no stone unturned.

The police, Nogier said, are prepared to begin investigating the disappearances as a major crime if evidence of foul play is found. Walker, he confirmed, made several reports to police.

Friends, family, police and other supporters walked on July 28, 2022 from Chief Whitecap Park to Diefenbaker Park near the Gordie Howe Bridge in support of Dawn Walker and a seven-year-old boy. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

FSIN Vice Chief Aly Bear spoke emotionally, with tears streaming down her face, about several recent situations involving missing Indigenous people. She spoke about Frank Young, a five-year-old boy who was missing for more than two months before his body was found, and about Megan Gallagher, who has been missing since 2020. Bear acknowledged Brian Gallagher, Megan’s father, who was among those who walked Thursday.

Significant searches were also organized for Young and Gallagher following their disappearances. That’s one of the most important things people can do, Bear said.

“It’s important to show up,” she said. “It’s important to show up for your people,”

She also noted the importance of prayer.

“Prayers are so powerful we don’t even realize it,” Bear said.

Before the walk, Cameron shared a similar message.

“Let’s continue to pray,” he said, “and let’s continue to have hope.”