Debates of June 1, 2023 (day 159)

Date
June
1
2023
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
159
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O’Reilly, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Ms. Semmler, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon Armstong
Topics
Statements

Member’s Statement 1561-19(2): Search for Frank Gruben

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On May 6th, Mr. Speaker, Frank Gruben was last seen in Fort Smith. Twentysix days have passed. After speaking to his mother today, I want to shed light on it again.

Twentysix days dedicated volunteers searched for Frank every single day. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank each and every one of them for doing what they're doing.

Applause

They've been working tirelessly, searching for Frank, and those who are doing everything they can do to bring Frank home. The volunteer groups and friends of the family searching for Frank, Salt River First Nation; Fred Daniels, mayor; Frieda Martselos, the MLA; and then every person who is praying for Frank and the family.

I know Frank as a baby, Mr. Speaker. I grew up with his dad John John -- we called him usuk -- and his aunties and uncles Don Don, Edna, and Darlene, and the whole Gruben family. He was so proud of his son.

Mr. Speaker, Frank went to Fort Smith to attend college. When you send your children to college, Mr. Speaker, you expect them to come back, no matter. No mother or parent should have to cry and wonder where their child is. Frank's been missing, Mr. Speaker, for 26 days. What expertise and resources has the RCMP for searching for the missing in the cases across the territory, and especially for Frank? In reality of the truth, Mr. Speaker, we're failing. We failed. Someone in the community knows something that what happened to Frank. And, Mr. Speaker, I'm speaking to them right now: Do what's right. Call the RCMP. Call Crime Stoppers. We have to bring Frank home to his mother so she could grieve properly and to the people of Aklavik to be able to grieve him as a whole family and not wondering where their son is. You know, Mr. Speaker, as Inuvialuit, we're never going to stop looking, as in the Gwich'in; we're never going to stop looking and I thank Salt River First Nation. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to call out on the Minister today, at the appropriate time, on what the RCMP's doing and to work with them, to work together to bring Frank home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.