First Nations Voice

PAGE 16 • DECEMBER 2012 KIND AND GIFTED 17 YEAR OLD BOY MISSING FOR NEARLY 7 YEARS LAST SEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 Family says that Waylon Smith Waylon had a strong respect and belief in Aboriginal culture, par- ticipating in sweats and ceremonies. He would help with gathering the grandfathers, smudg- ing and looking after the fire. Though Waylon Waylon Smith Waylon Smith's fam- ily describes him as a qui- et, generous, hardworking young man — his younger brothers, Mason and Sim- eon, looked up to him. Way- lon's disappearance nearly seven years ago has sent ripplesof sadness and grief throughout his family and community that still remain to this day. The biggest and most difficult of all things for his family to overcome is the loss of time with Waylon. In the nearly seven years since his disappearance, life has slowly crept forward for his family. Waylon is now an uncle to two children, Korley and Kathleen, who to this point, have grown up not knowing the incredible strength and talent of their uncle Waylon. struggled at times, he channeled his feelings through his tremendous gift in music and art. He played the guitar and had a passion for rap music, writing his own lyrics, music and beats. The lilting words and rhythm of his music is still fresh in the minds of loved ones. Waylon grew up in the North End of Winnipeg, and frequently went to visit family in Lake St. Martin, Manitoba. It was on one of these visits that the 17-year-old boy went missing. He set out for a walk on January 17, 2006, and never returned home. Nearly seven years later, his fam- ily continues to search for answers of what may have happened to their sweet and kind boy. "Waylon's family misses him so deeply and wants him to come home," says Christy Dzikowicz, Director of Miss- ingKids.ca. "It is heartbreak- ing to think that for seven years this family has been without their son, their broth- er, their uncle — birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays have gone by without him sitting at the kitchen table. MissingKids.ca encourages anyone who has information about Waylon's disappear- ance to come forward. They need to know what has hap- pened to Waylon." Detectives from the Win- nipeg Police Service's (WPS) Missing Person Unit say they understand how extremely difficult it is for families to be left without answers. They say that though Waylon's case is nearly 7 years old, it is still an open file. Det. Sgt. Shauna Neufeld notes that 'quite often in these long- term cases there is some- one out there with a piece of information that they have not yet shared that could be of value to the investigation.' Anyone with informa- tion about Waylon Smith's disappearance is urged to contact MissingKids.ca at 1-866-KID-TIPS or the WPS Missing Person's Unit at 204-986-6250.

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