Edna Skunk emphasizes the importance of honoring Anishinaabe traditions by the police as they continue the search for her missing granddaughter. She urges authorities to trust the instincts of searchers involved in the efforts.
Ashlynn Bottle, aged 23, and Nodin Skunk, aged 25, were last spotted together at the former Pool 8 grain elevator on April 26 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, located on the city’s south side. Both individuals are affiliated with Mishkeegogamang First Nation, an Ojibway community situated approximately 500 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay.
According to the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS), Bottle and Skunk were captured on video entering the property around 4:30 p.m. ET in the company of a third individual, who has since been located. The last footage of the pair was recorded at 5:12 p.m. at the same location.
Despite the comprehensive search efforts conducted by the TBPS, including assistance from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, Detective Constable Jeff Saunders mentioned that they are confident that Bottle and Skunk are not within the grain elevator premises. The next phase involves exploring the Kaministiquia River alongside the grain elevator, a task assigned to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) based in Orillia, around 1,200 kilometers away.
The search for Bottle and Skunk has garnered support from community members of Mishkeegogamang First Nation and Cat Lake First Nation, who have traveled to Thunder Bay to contribute to the search endeavors.
In discussions with Thunder Bay’s mayor and Fort William First Nation’s chief, Alvin Fiddler, the grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, highlighted persistent safety concerns related to the abandoned grain elevator site. Fiddler emphasized the need for enhanced security measures, including increased video surveillance, particularly in areas frequented by Indigenous women and youth.
Describing Ashlynn as a five-foot-three Indigenous woman with long black hair and a thin build, last seen in specific attire, and Nodin as a five-foot-nine Indigenous man with distinct physical attributes, authorities have urged anyone with information on their whereabouts to come forward by contacting the police directly or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The ongoing search efforts and safety concerns surrounding the disappearance of Ashlynn Bottle and Nodin Skunk underscore the community’s commitment to finding answers and ensuring the well-being of all individuals involved.