An Indigenous writer and executive with a group representing First Nations in Saskatchewan has been found safe in Oregon, Saskatoon police said Friday, two weeks after she and her seven-year-old son were reported missing. Dawn Dumont Walker, a writer and speaker from the Okanese Cree Nation in southern Saskatchewan, was reported missing on July 24. He was last seen two days earlier, at a business in Saskatoon. He is an executive of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). Air, land and water crews were scouring the area for the couple, with investigators focusing their search on the South Saskatchewan River after her red F-150 truck and some personal belongings were recovered from the riverbank at Chief Whitecap Park, about a 20-minute drive south of Saskatoon. Her bag was also spotted in the area by a person who handed it over to the police. Saskatoon police said Friday that Ms. Walker and her son, Vincent Jansen, had been located “safe and well” in the Oregon city after investigators determined they had crossed into the United States. “Agency representatives are currently working out the details to arrange their return to Canada,” the agency wrote in a press release. “The investigation was then able to trace them to the Oregon City location where cross-border law enforcement cooperation was used.” Saskatoon police noted that U.S. authorities are “looking into the consequences and any possible action” related to her crossing into the U.S. “Pending any action by U.S. authorities, Dawn Walker will be returned to Saskatoon to meet with the researchers”. U.S. officials are also working with Saskatoon police to return Vincent to a legal guardian, they said. Ms. Walker’s mother, Theresa Walker of the Okanese First Nation, said in a statement released by FSIN that the family and community were “thrilled” by the news that Ms. Walker and her son were safe. “Our prayers have been answered,” he said in the statement. “The past 15 days have been extremely difficult for our family and community. … We recognize that our challenges will continue in the coming days and weeks, and we will continue to support her in this challenge ahead.” FSIN vice president Heather Bear said in the same statement that the agency will be closely monitoring the legal process. “At FSIN, we know why First Nations women go missing and we recognize that there are many complex issues surrounding their disappearances,” she said. An award-winning author, Ms Walker (who writes under the name Dawn Dumont) was this week shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. The awards association said it was the same day the nominations were announced that they learned of her disappearance. The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour loosely based on the story of a 1970s European tour by a troupe of native dancers. Ms. Walker’s previous books include; Glass beads, Nobody cries at Bingo and Rose’s Run. The author, who has been an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women, ran as a Liberal candidate for the University of Saskatoon in last year’s federal election. A website featuring printable posters of Mrs Walker and her son was started by Vincent’s father Andrew Jansen after the disappearance. A GoFundMe page had also been set up by Mr Jansen to raise money for the search efforts. “Vincent has been found!” the website said on Friday afternoon, after the police announcement. Saskatoon police said they will hold a press conference on Monday. With files from The Canadian Press Our Morning Update and Afternoon Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.
