Theresa Whitecap, the grandmother of Frank Young, says the family has not given up hope the missing boy will be found. (Susan McNeil/paNOW staff)

By Susan McNeil

Frank Young search

Calls increase for feds, province, others to help search for boy

May 16, 2022 | 3:49 PM

The Red Earth First Nation is looking to the provincial and federal governments for ‘boots on the ground’ as the search for Frank Young enters its 28^th day.

Speaking at a news conference earlier today Frank’s grandmother Teresa Whitecap said the family has not given up hope that they will see the missing five year old again.

“I told my nieces, continue holding onto that hope and that’s what keeps us going every day that we’re going to see Frank,” she said. “I pray and I pray, asking our heavenly father to guide the searchers to bring Frank home to us.”

Whitecap’s message was re-iterated by Chiefs Marcel Head of Shoal Lake and Fabian Head of Red Earth.

“We continue to send that message of hope. And it is the prayers that provides the strength and we are thankful for that. Despite this being day 28, we still view this mission as a rescue mission,” said Fabian Head.

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He said that so far 611 people and 13 search and rescue crews have been part of the search and there have been 490 GPS searches.

The Prince Albert Grand Council, which includes Shoal Lake and Red Earth in its membership, has a search and rescue service that has been in Red Earth since Frank went missing.

Michelle Vandevord, PAGC Search and Rescue Team president called on Indigenous communities across Canada to help.

“We need help. We need more people on the ground and if you’re able to, please help the family. Please come and help search,” she said.

A request to have the military’s Canadian Ranger Patrol be assigned to help has so far not been responded to, Vandevord said.

Whitecap provided some details of the day Frank went missing.

The boy had been playing outside with his siblings and when his aunt, Barb McKay, who was his caregiver noticed he was missing immediately began searching.

Very quickly the neighbourhood started looking for the boy and when he was not found immediately, the local fire suppression crew was called to search the larger community.

About 3:00 p.m. they called RCMP for assistance with help dispatched right away from the Carrot River detachment.

Despite exhaustion and worry, Whitecap says her family finds strength as a group.

“Ever since day one when Frank went missing, we came together as a family. I just wanted to make that known to everybody that my family are very strong and the reason we are strong is because we come together as one,” she said.

Whitecap said that the family is very grateful for the support and messages they have been receiving through social media and a vigil held last night in Prince Albert.

“I want to say thank you to all the volunteers who came out to Red Earth to look for Frank. We don’t know how to say thank you, I don’t know how to express thank you,” she said through tears.

“I was told Australia is thinking about you too. That really hit my heart. I didn’t realize there were other countries thinking about us, especially Frank.”

Whitecap said that when Frank is found, she hopes to thank the people who have supported her family by having a feast in Red Earth, Frank’s home community and inviting everyone who helped.

“In Indian culture, to give thanks is to hold a feast to say thank you for all the people that come into our lives,” she said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow