The father of a boy missing since late July has issued a statement appealing to the public for help.
Andrew Jansen hasn’t seen Vincent “Vinny” Jansen, 7, since July 22. The boy’s mother, Dawn Walker, is also missing.
“I am desperately asking for your help in spreading the word about their disappearance even further,” Jansen wrote in a statement Tuesday.
He said everyone in Saskatchewan should know what Walker and his son look like.
On July 25, RCMP located Walker’s truck at Chief Whitecap Park, near the Riverside Country Club. Some of Walker’s personal belongings were found nearby, but there was no sign of her or her child.
RCMP Staff Sergeant Greg Abbott said police have so far searched for Walker and her son by air, land and water, but nothing new has been found over the weekend. He said the RCMP’s General Investigations Unit is working with Saskatoon police.
Walker, 48, also known as Dawn Dumont Walker, was chief of staff for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations for 10 years and an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Police confirmed that Walker filed domestic violence reports, but Saskatoon police are investigating a criminal investigation. Patrick Nogier has chosen not to reveal whether charges have been filed. (Submitted by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations)
Andrew described Vincent as a loving, considerate boy whose smile, laughter and energy lit up the house “from morning to night”. Now, he writes, their house feels empty.
“Our hearts are filled with concern and we ache without him. His little sister watches him, always follows him around, tries to get into his room, and bullies him when he tries to play video games without her,” Andrew wrote.
Call for public assistance
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) on Tuesday urged the public to help where they can. Okanese First Nation Chief Richard Stonechild said any little bit of information can go a long way.
“We’re going to do everything we can to support those efforts and bring closure to this investigation, closure to the family,” Stonechild said.
“If you can take a moment to check your property, check your home. Whatever properties you have in the countryside: check abandoned buildings for anything unusual.”
Dawn Walker’s red Ford truck was found in Chief Whitecap Park near Saskatoon. (Submitted by Saskatoon Police Service)
No indication of abduction, no Amber Alert: Police
Investigators involved in the search for Vincent and Walker said Tuesday that the criteria for issuing an Amber Alert for the boy had not been met because there were no indications of an abduction.
Still, Saskatoon Police Sgt. Grant Obst said, “Our investigators are looking at all the considerations.” He added that many organizations are already involved in efforts to locate Walker and Vincent.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said the agency will continue to treat the disappearances of Vincent and Walker as an Amber Alert.
Family and supporters of Dawn Walker and her son held a walkout last Thursday where they prayed for their safe return. (CBC News)
FSIN is offering a reward for information leading to the discovery of Walker or Vincent, although no details were shared Tuesday about what that reward would be.
Cameron says more information about the award will be released in the coming days, subject to approval from the family and the chief and council.
In his statement, Andrew also said he has started a Gofundme appeal to fund a possible reward and his search efforts.
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