The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) has charged Dawn Marie Walker with public mischief and abduction in contravention of a custody order. As the investigation continues they will consider laying additional charges.
However, Walker will remain in the US for now to first face charges laid by the United States Department of Homeland Security. SPS is consulting with the provincial Crown for Walker's future extradition to Canada.
Vincent Jansen, 7, was returned to the custody of a legal guardian on August 5 and is back in Canada as of August 7.
Walker is charged by Homeland Security with the felony offense of making false statements in the use of a passport, and with the misdemeanor offense of using an identification document with lawful authority.
The investigation is ongoing and the Saskatoon Police Service continues to ask anyone with information believed to be relevant to contact the SPS at 306-975-8300, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or your local law enforcement agency.
Original report
The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), in conjunction with the United States Department of Homeland Security, have located missing persons Dawn Walker and her son Vincent Jansen. The two were found in Oregon City, Oregon at approximately 11:30hrs on August 5 (CST).
Both are reported to be safe and well. Agency representatives are currently working out the details of arranging for their return to Canada.
Walker, 48, is a member of the Okanese Cree Nation and is the executive operating officer of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The FSIN recently floated the idea of offering a reward for the safe return of Walker and her son if they were not located soon.
Walker is also a well-known Saskatchewan author whose latest book The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour was shortlisted on Wednesday for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour.
She ran in the 2021 Federal election as the Liberal candidate for the Saskatoon-University riding, receiving 10 per cent of the vote.
The search cast a wide net, including the SPS Missing Persons Unit and numerous other SPS units, government agencies, the RCMP, Saskatoon Fire Department, FSIN, external private industry partners, members of the general public, and the following law enforcement agencies in Canada and the US who worked to locate Walker and her child; Canadian Border Services Agency, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the Billings Police Dept., Oregon City Police Dept. and the West Linn Police Dept.
Investigators were recently successful in establishing that the two had illegally entered the United States. The investigation was then able to track them to the Oregon City location where cross-border law enforcement cooperation was utilized.
At this time, U.S. authorities are considering the implications and any potential action as a result of an illegal entry into the US. Pending any action by U.S. authorities Dawn Walker, will be returned to Saskatoon to meet with investigators.
U.S. agency representatives in consultation with the SPS are currently working out the details of returning Vincent Jansen to a legal guardian. Allegations that Walker has been the victim of domestic abuse have been repeatedly raised by family members and those who know her as the search gathered momentum. FSIN vice chief Heather Bear has reiterated that claim to media.
