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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
A Native woman who went missing in Canada has been found safe in the U.S. and is now facing charges in both countries.
Police accuse Dawn Walker of faking her own disappearance along with her 7-year-old son.
Walker was reported missing more than two weeks ago in Saskatoon.
Police say multiagency searches were conducted and evidence led to a wide-reaching investigation tracing Walker and her son to the U.S. Walker was located last week in Oregon and taken into custody.
She’s now facing felony and misdemeanor charges in the U.S. including false use of identification of another person.
Charges in Canada include abduction and public mischief.
Walker sent a handwritten statement to CBC News saying she left Saskatoon fearing for their safety and was failed by the justice system and child protection.
She didn’t name the person she was fleeing, but has previously made domestic violence allegations against her ex, the son’s father, the CBC reports.
During a press conference this week streamed live by APTN National News, reporters asked Saskatoon Police if domestic violence was involved and was part of the investigation.
Deputy Chief Randy Huisman: “I can say two things in regards to that. Number one, it may or not play into this investigation. And number two, is any potential or any previous allegations made by Dawn Walker were thoroughly investigated and no charges resulted as a result of those investigations.”
Walker had her first court appearance this week in the U.S. Canadian officials are working on extradition.
She could face additional charges in Canada as the criminal investigation continues.
Her son was placed with a legal guardian and returned to Canada last week.
Meanwhile, Walker’s family and supporters are rallying for her return to Canada.
They’re raising funds for her legal defense.
A fundraiser says she’s a published author, playwright, community leader, and advocate for the rights of Indigenous women, families, and communities.
Molina Healthcare of New Mexico is offering traditional healing, counseling, and support services to people impacted by the Gallup parade incident last week, when a SUV drove through the city’s intertribal ceremonial night parade.
Molina is offering the support services in partnership with a Navajo nonprofit dedicated to traditional teachings and ceremonies.
The healthcare is being offered for free to both Molina members and non-members.
Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial events are continuing through the weekend, including a day parade on Saturday.
City officials announced this week a new parade route to help ensure safety of participants and spectators.
The parade downtown will be closed off with no parking access.
The annual ceremonial events celebrate Indigenous culture.
The night parade is a fan favorite and was tainted by an alleged drunk driver who plowed through parade barricades hitting several people.
Molina Behavioral Health Crisis Line 855-597-1427.
The state of New Mexico offers a 24/7 lifeline for emotional, mental, or substance use distress by dialing 988 or 988nm.org.
The Interior Department on Tuesday announced members of the Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names.
The group will help identify and recommend changes to derogatory terms used in places across the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is leading efforts to change derogatory names.
The agency is engaging with tribes, state and local governments, and the public.
The people named to the committee represent tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations – and include expertise in civil rights, history, geography, and anthropology.
Members from federal agencies are also part of the committee.
The 17-member committee is expected to meet in the coming months and will then meet about two to four times a year.
Meetings will be open to the public and announced in the Federal Register.
A separate task force was previously created by Sec. Haaland and is focusing on changing a derogatory word used against Native women, which includes hundreds of places within federal lands.
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