THUNDER BAY — First Nations organizations joined with police services in a virtual event Wednesday to launch the Am I Missing campaign in Sioux Lookout.
First started in Thunder Bay in 2018, the campaign was developed in response to a recommendation from the Seven Youth Inquest, which examined the circumstances of the deaths of Jethro Anderson, Curran Strang, Paul Panacheese, Robyn Harper, Reggie Bushie, Kyle Morrisseau and Jordan Wabasse in the city.
The project highlights three important steps to be taken before calling police for assistance in locating a missing person:
- Try to find me – contact friends or family members of the missing person. Are there places the individual typically visits?
- Assess the risk – Is there a reason to believe the person could be in danger? If you aren't certain, it's best to trust your instinct.
- Call police – When attempts to find a missing person haven't been successful, and you believe the person is at risk, you should call police at 1-888-310-1122 and file a missing person report.
The campaign features public service announcements including a video, ads and other elements to guide the public through the steps to be taken before requesting police information.
It also attempts to dispel common myths, such as the need to wait 24-48 hours before reporting a person missing.
According to a statement from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Sioux Lookout launch is aimed at increasing awareness in urban communities where NAN youth attend school, and where people from NAN First Nations live.
Partners include NAN, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, OPP, Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, Shibogama First Nations Council, Windigo First Nations Council, Independent First Nations Alliance, and the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education.
"It's very important to increase awareness about missing persons protocols," said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox. "There is a common misconception that you have to wait 24 or 48 hours before a person can be reported missing. This is not true, and knowing this could make all the difference in some cases."
Keewaytinook Okimakanak Director of Education Jonathan Kakegamic said the campaign provides critical information for community members, both on and off-reserve, as well as to frontline staff and boarding home parents, on identifying risk factors.
"The impact of the losses to our families and organizations continues to resonate with us, and the call for change is reflected extensively in the Seven Youth Inquest and its recommendations," Kakegamic said.
He added that the school board appreciates the support of the OPP and NAPS, and acknowledged the involvement of the Thunder Bay Police Service, in ongoing efforts to increase awareness and education.
