SASKATOON - The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations has issued its own Amber Alert as they seek the public’s help in finding a missing Indigenous woman and her seven-year-old son.
Dawn Walker and her son were last in contact with friends and work colleagues on Friday, July 22. The statement from the FSIN indicates they believe both are “significantly at risk.”
Dawn is described as an Indigenous female, approximately 5’6, 120 lbs, and operates a 2021 Ford F150, red in color with the first three digits of her license “451”. She was last seen at a business on the 300 block of Owen Manor in Saskatoon at around 6 p.m. that evening.
At a news conference at the Saskatoon Inn Monday, it was announced some further details surrounding the situation. FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said at a news conference that the truck was found located at the riverbank of the South Saskatchewan River. Some personal items including a blanket and wallet were located as well.
He said police and RCMP have begun a land search and water search.
Walker is a former federal Liberal candidate in Saskatoon University in 2021 and works for FSIN. "Dawn has been a big part of our organization," said Cameron.
“We’re searching and we’re still searching. We’ll never give up hope.”
At the news conference, Saskatoon Deputy Police Chief Randy Huisman reported that at 9 a.m. on Monday morning, members of the RCMP located the red Ford F-150 at the Chief Whitecap Dog Park, south of the city by the golf course.
Saskatoon police also report that also located were some personal belongings and "evidence of recreational activity," according to Huisman. In addition, Saskatoon Police report a person in the area had discovered her purse on Saturday, July 23 and had turned it in to the RCMP.
The focus of the investigation remains very active. Based on this new information, the Saskatoon Police Service says it is coordinating efforts to do a search of the South Saskatchewan River. This search will include the Public Safety Unit and the Air Support Unit, along with partner agencies. Members of the public are asked to refrain from visiting Chief Whitecap Park so that police can conduct its investigation.
According to a news release from Saskatoon Police, Dawn Walker is described as 5’5” tall, medium build, blond hair, brown eyes.
According to police, there are concerns about Dawn's wellbeing, as she has not been in contact with friends or family which is out of character. She was reported missing to Saskatoon police on the morning on July 24.
Anyone with knowledge regarding the whereabouts of Walker or her son is asked to contact the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Vice-Chief David Pratt asked anyone who has seen her last or ran into her at the grocery store or interacted with her anywhere to contact them with as much information as they can. “It will aid in the investigation,” Pratt said, as he also asked people to get the word out on social media.
While FSIN has issued its own Amber Alert, there was not a provincial Amber Alert issued. Deputy Chief Huisman explained it did not fit the criteria set out for a provincial Amber Alert. Those are issued when an investigation has confirmed either an abduction by a stranger, or an abduction where circumstance lead to believe the abducted person is in danger.
But the FSIN is issuing its own Amber Alert, so they can get the message out.
“The parents know, the friends know, the family know — we know when something is wrong,” said Cameron.
“We issued our own Amber Alert to get the message out there. It met our criteria. We know instinctively in our heart something is wrong. So we went ahead with it.”
