November 3, 2023
Saik’uz First Nation (Saik’uz), Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), and the Highway of Tears Governing Body are calling for further response from the RCMP and for additional community volunteers and resources to be deployed in response to the disappearance of Jay Preston Raphael and Chelsey Anita Quaw (Heron) of the Saik’uz First Nation.
In both Jay and Chelsey’s cases, their disappearances were out of character and a cause for concern.
“Search and rescue efforts in Saik’uz and surrounding communities are ongoing, and we thank our members and volunteers for their ongoing commitment to bringing Chelsey home. At this time, we are calling for more volunteers and resources to help increase search efforts,” says Chief Priscilla Mueller, Saik’uz First Nation.
“There seems to be little change in the responsiveness since the Highway of Tears Symposium in 2006,” says Mary Teegee, CSFS Executive Director of Child and Family Services. “We need to do better as a community to come together and find our missing loved ones. Support your community, support the families, and please help bring Jay and Chelsey home.”
“If you have seen or heard anything, anything at all, please contact the RCMP. Please help bring our children home,” says Pam Heron, Chelsey Quaw’s mother.
In support, the Witset First Nation Chief and Council sent a letter of support addressed to the RCMP:
"Witset First Nation Chief and Council stand together with our neighbors to the east in their plea for support. Our lost loved ones do not get the media coverage or justice support they deserve. We stand beside the Saikuz and Stellat’en First Nations in their call on RCMP to take action into treating these as more than a missing persons case.
Witset First Nation calls on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to take action. Collectively, we call for a criminal investigation on what happened to Chelsey Quaw (Heron) and Jay Raphael in order to bring them home."
If you have any information about Jay Raphael, Chelsey Quaw, or where either might be, please contact the Vanderhoof RCMP at (250) 567-2222 with file #2023-477 (Jay) or #2023-2794 (Chelsey). Anonymous tips can be provided to Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
For more information regarding ongoing search efforts, please connect with the Saik’uz First Nation Band Office at (250) 567-9293 or follow the Saik’uz First Nation Facebook page for notices about upcoming searches.
Media Contact:
Emily Epp, CSFS Communications
778-267-2554 (hours for response: 8:00am-7:00pm)
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Last modified: Wednesday 03-Apr-24 12:36:29 PDT
CSFS gratefully acknowledges Noeleen McQuary, the artisan who created the traditional Carrier baskets used in the CSFS branding on this webpage, and in other print and online media.
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