The search group for missing North Battleford woman Ashley Morin gets ready to start day at Finlayson Island Saturday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff) 

By Angela Brown

Never giving up

Family and supporters of missing woman Ashley Morin search Finlayson Island after receiving new tip

Jul 27, 2020 | 9:23 AM

After receiving a new tip, a group of family and supporters took to Finlayson Island Saturday searching for missing North Battleford woman Ashley Morin, who disappeared two years ago.

Morin, 31, of Ahtahkakoop First Nation, was last seen July 10 of 2018. RCMP stated in July 2019, a year after their investigation, they believe Ashley Morin was the victim of a homicide.

This was the second day of the latest local search that will continue Sunday. In addition to family and supporters, Prince Albert Grand Council Search Rescue and Recovery team, as well as the Lloydminster Rescue Squad canine unit, joined in the search. Representatives from Saskatchewan RCMP “F” Division Indigenous Policing Services and Prince Albert Police Service also took part. A canine unit from Calgary was also expected to participate.

Morin family spokesperson Krista Fox said the family continues to hope for closure.

“As people are aware, we are out here; we are looking for Ash. We are following up on some tips we received and we are working towards bringing our girl home,” she said. “We are hoping that this weekend brings us something. I am not sure what exactly that may be. But hopefully, we find something so we can start our healing journey.”

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The group planned to search the Finlayson Island area Saturday. The day prior they also travelled outside the area during their search.

Despite dealing with some inclement weather Saturday, Fox said the group wanted to keep going.

“It’s not going to stop us,” she said. “We’ll go through rain or shine.”

Michelle Vandevord is the associate director for Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management, as well as the president of the Prince Albert Grand Council Search, Rescue and Recovery team that helped lead the search.

The organization has been helping the Morin family for about at least a year, following up tips received from the RCMP and the family.

“We are here to go on all of the leads that have come forward within the last year,” she said. “We hope to bring some closure for the family.”

Vandevord said the group planned to search along the river area, and trails on Finlayson Island. They also searched parts of the island as well as Little Pine First Nation on July 24.

North Battleford woman Ashley Morin has been missing since July 10, 2018. (Supplied/RCMP)

The van was seen on the corner of 96 St. and 16 Ave. in North Battleford on July 10, 2018. This is one of the last places Morin was seen. (supplied photo/Saskatchewan RCMP)

Prince Albert deputy police chief Jason Stonechild also planned to take part in the search after the police service was invited to participate.

He said he met Ashley Morin’s family at a conference where he was speaking on the Calls for Justice stemming from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“It was a very emotional moment when I met them,” Stonechild said. “They were looking for some support.”

He said he thought it was a good opportunity to connect the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Search and Rescue team with the RCMP.

“Once I did and voiced the needs of the Morin family, the two organizations spearheaded this,” he said.

Stonechild said while this area is not the PAGC’s jurisdiction, they are advocates for Indigenous people from right across Saskatchewan.

He also appreciated being able to participate in the search on behalf of Prince Albert Police Service. Stonechild said while it is not their jurisdiction, the matter is something they “truly believe in,” and wanted to take part to show their support.

RCMP representatives also participated in the search.

“It is essentially important for policing to listen to victims and their families, especially for cases like Ashley Morin’s,” Stonechild said. “Hopefully, an event like today is going to draw a lot of public attention. That is really positive, not only for the family but for the police as well. It will rekindle interest, and hopefully spark some new leads for police to investigate. Or else, maybe they could have luck with the search, and that would be ultimately an amazing outcome from this event here today.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW