Update: Located Safe! https://missingpeople.ca/breaking-news-dawn-walker-and-her-son-vincent-jansen-located-safe-in-the-united-states/
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Friends, family and other supporters gathered at a park south of Saskatoon Tuesday night in support of Dawn Walker and her seven-year-old son, Vinnie Jansen.
The pair was last seen on Friday. Her purse was discovered in the area over the weekend and handed in to police. On Monday, RCMP located Walker’s truck near Chief Whitecap Park.
People who know Walker say it’s unlike her to go without being in contact for long periods of time.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) organized a candlelight vigil Tuesday to support Walker’s family and pray for her safe return.
“I just can’t understand how something like that could [happen], how she could go missing with her son, Vinnie.” said former senator Lillian Dyck, speaking at the vigil.
“No one should have to understand that. No one should have to go through this.”
Walker has been chief of staff at the FSIN for almost 10 years. Also known as Dawn Dumont Walker, she’s a well-known author in Saskatchewan and ran for the federal Liberal party in Saskatoon in 2021.
“Dawn Walker fought each and every day and every month for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, men and boys,” said FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear.
“I lift her up. You know who she is and who she represents.”
RCMP and Saskatoon police are leading a search for any trace of where Walker and her son might be.
Underwater and surface teams are currently searching the river. Saskatoon police have also brought out their plane to help in the search.
Volunteer searchers are being allowed to help, but police are asking anyone else to stay away from the area.
The FSIN says the organization is not ruling out foul play in the family’s disappearance, although police said there is no indication of that so far.
“She wasn’t and she isn’t immune from our women going missing each and every day,” said Vice-Chief Bear.
“That just saddens me.”
