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.
Raphael was reported missing on February 26, 2023 after he was last seen walking away from a residence in Saik’uz. Quaw walked away from a residence on the Saik’uz First Nations, in the early morning hours of October 11, 2023
In both 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,” Chief Priscilla Mueller, Saik’uz First Nation. “At this time, we are calling for more volunteers and resources to help increase search efforts.
“If you have seen or heard anything, anything at all, please contact the RCMP. Please help bring our children home,” said Pam Heron, Chelsey Quaw’s mother.
Quaw is described as
- Indigenous female
- 29 years old
- 5’ 10 (170 cm)
- 120 lbs (55 kg)
- Brown hair
- Brown eyes
- Possibly wearing blue jeans and a purple winter jacket
Raphael is described as:
- Indigenous male
- 27-years-old
- 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
- 65 kg (143 lbs)
- Black hair
- Brown eyes
“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 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.