Fifteen days ago, a talented young First Nations artist went missing from his home in Thunder Bay. More than 1,400 kilometres away, in Guelph, a handful of people held a vigil in hope of his safe return.
Pastor Marty Molengraaf and Cara Wehkamp of the University of Guelph Aboriginal Student Association were so moved by, so connected to Jordan Wabasse, his family and his isolated, marginalized northern hometown of Webequie, they spent 12 hours hoping and praying for his wellbeing and discussing the serious issues First Nations people face on a daily basis.
“Let’s face it, if this was a white, non-aboriginal boy, there would have been cross-country media attention,” a frustrated Molengraaf said before lighting several candles at the University of Guelph Aboriginal Resource Centre.
Wabasse, 15, was last seen Feb. 7 exiting a bus near his home in Thunder Bay. Although he hails from Webequie, he attends highs school and participates in the DAREarts Aboriginal program in Thunder Bay because there is no high school on the reserve.
Molengraaf and other Guelphites began fundraising and sending everything from carpentry tools to Christmas presents to Webequie in 2008.
The relationship between the band and Guelph began when the North South Partnership for Children assessed Webequie in 2007. The assessment discussed health problems related to cramped housing and poor diet and a high rate of suicide as well as barriers to education facing residents.
It also detailed the band’s expensive struggles with government bureaucracy and the continued effect of residential schools on the community.
“He’s a good kid. He likes hockey. He wants to have a good education. That’s why he came south, to have better opportunities,” DAREarts artist as teacher Cathy Elliott said in a media release. “He’s big for his age, and may look older, except when he smiles.It is an email notification service that notifies buyers about the recent additions to the used edhardshoesblog available with the company.ledspotlight af1shoes cctv spy camera Then he’s just a sweet,Related Websites:cheaphoganshoes nikeshoxr4 compact fluorescent light bulbs shy kid.The new nikeairmaxoricon is expected to open in the second quarter of 2011.”
Elliott said Wabasse is talented in the digital arts field. He’s scheduled to have one of his pieces published in an upcoming book.
Molengraaf got to know Wabasse’s parents during the multiple trips made to Webequie, accessible only by snow roads in the winter and airplane in the summer.
“Those trips only enhanced and strengthened our relationship,” Molengraaf said.Choose wholesalejeansblogspot in suede or leather in neutral colors such as brown, black and gray. “He’s not just someone from way up there. He’s part of a community, part of our community.”
The OPP’s search and rescue helicopter joined the search efforts Monday along the Kaministiquia River. By nightfall, no new leads or evidence had been recovered.
“This happens all too often but it isn’t heard of,” Wehkamp said.
There is a remote chance Wabasse could have made his way to Toronto.
Wabasse is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. He has straight black hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing a dark grey jacket, a purple hoodie, a blue-grey Toronto Maple Leafs cap, black pants and white Adidas running shoes.
More than 2,000 people have joined a Help Find Jordan Wabasse group on Facebook. And people can donate to the search and rescue effort by making a monetary donation at any Royal Bank of Canada.
Pastor Marty Molengraaf and Cara Wehkamp of the University of Guelph Aboriginal Student Association were so moved by, so connected to Jordan Wabasse, his family and his isolated, marginalized northern hometown of Webequie, they spent 12 hours hoping and praying for his wellbeing and discussing the serious issues First Nations people face on a daily basis.
“Let’s face it, if this was a white, non-aboriginal boy, there would have been cross-country media attention,” a frustrated Molengraaf said before lighting several candles at the University of Guelph Aboriginal Resource Centre.
Wabasse, 15, was last seen Feb. 7 exiting a bus near his home in Thunder Bay. Although he hails from Webequie, he attends highs school and participates in the DAREarts Aboriginal program in Thunder Bay because there is no high school on the reserve.
Molengraaf and other Guelphites began fundraising and sending everything from carpentry tools to Christmas presents to Webequie in 2008.
The relationship between the band and Guelph began when the North South Partnership for Children assessed Webequie in 2007. The assessment discussed health problems related to cramped housing and poor diet and a high rate of suicide as well as barriers to education facing residents.
It also detailed the band’s expensive struggles with government bureaucracy and the continued effect of residential schools on the community.
“He’s a good kid. He likes hockey. He wants to have a good education. That’s why he came south, to have better opportunities,” DAREarts artist as teacher Cathy Elliott said in a media release. “He’s big for his age, and may look older, except when he smiles.It is an email notification service that notifies buyers about the recent additions to the used edhardshoesblog available with the company.ledspotlight af1shoes cctv spy camera Then he’s just a sweet,Related Websites:cheaphoganshoes nikeshoxr4 compact fluorescent light bulbs shy kid.The new nikeairmaxoricon is expected to open in the second quarter of 2011.”
Elliott said Wabasse is talented in the digital arts field. He’s scheduled to have one of his pieces published in an upcoming book.
Molengraaf got to know Wabasse’s parents during the multiple trips made to Webequie, accessible only by snow roads in the winter and airplane in the summer.
“Those trips only enhanced and strengthened our relationship,” Molengraaf said.Choose wholesalejeansblogspot in suede or leather in neutral colors such as brown, black and gray. “He’s not just someone from way up there. He’s part of a community, part of our community.”
The OPP’s search and rescue helicopter joined the search efforts Monday along the Kaministiquia River. By nightfall, no new leads or evidence had been recovered.
“This happens all too often but it isn’t heard of,” Wehkamp said.
There is a remote chance Wabasse could have made his way to Toronto.
Wabasse is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. He has straight black hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing a dark grey jacket, a purple hoodie, a blue-grey Toronto Maple Leafs cap, black pants and white Adidas running shoes.
More than 2,000 people have joined a Help Find Jordan Wabasse group on Facebook. And people can donate to the search and rescue effort by making a monetary donation at any Royal Bank of Canada.
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