SASKATOON — A rally is being held Sunday evening at 8 pm, at the Vimy Memorial Bandshell, Kiwanis Memorial Park, Saskatoon, to show support for Dawn Dumont Walker.
Walker who was found Friday in Oregon with her son after an interagency and cross border investigation and is currently being detained.
Organizers issued a release encouraging the public to join them in their rally, saying, “It is our position that a broken legal system, justice system, policing system, and social system, on top of broken treaties and genocidal policies of colonialism and destruction and privilege which have benefitted many at the cost of many others, are what is at play here.”
The release by concerned family and friends of Dawn Dumont Walker describes her as a high profile Indigenous woman, a voice for her generation.”
They point out she has an honours degree, a law degree; and holds a valued and important position working for the well-being and advancement of the Treaty and inherent rights of First Nations.
“In addition,” said the release, “she is a well-known and talented comedian, actress, activist, advocate, and author who has just received an award nomination for one of the highest accolades for humour writing in Canada, the Stephen Leacock Medal, in competition with Rick Mercer and Mark Crichs.”
The statement reads, “Despite her accomplishments and credentials, it appears she felt she had no choice but to leave her life behind, fleeing with her [son]. This is one of the few times whereby a missing woman has not been found dead but has actually been located, and located alive; but because she is an Indigenous woman, there appears to be a disconnect with this being a 'happily ever after' or 'good news' story. She is instead being vilified, demonized, blamed, detained, and perhaps even charged and jailed for 'illegally crossing a border.' We fervently hope this will not be the case and we fully support the GoFundMe organized by IdleNoMore.”
Speakers will be present for the rally, which will begin at Vimy Bandshell beside the Delta Bessborough, but may move across the street to the Court House if the noise levels are too high from the Filipino festival, which is ending the same evening.
This story has been updated to correct the origin of the release. It was issued by concerned family and friends of Dawn Dumont Walker, not FSIN.
