NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Rama Police and the Ontario Provincial Police are inviting members of the community and surrounding area to join them on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 for Missing Persons Awareness Day. Missing Persons Awareness Days are the result of funding provided by the Indigenous Justice Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General.
The event will be held at the Rama Community Hall, 5950 Rama Road South, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be an opportunity for the community and police to work together and remove barriers to reporting a missing person and help find or identify a loved one. There will also be presentations to increase awareness regarding human trafficking and child safety on the internet.
Those attending will gain insight into the importance of reporting a person missing and will have the chance to provide information on unreported missing persons. There will also be an opportunity to collect DNA samples from family members of missing persons for identification purposes, if required.
While missing persons are usually reported to police by family members, you do not have to be a relative to report a person missing. There is also no time limit - all missing person investigations remain open until they are resolved. Even information about a person who went missing 30 years ago could provide important evidence to resolve an active case today.
Cultural support services will be provided throughout the day by a community Elder. Mental health supports will also be available. Resources from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection regarding child safety will be shared at the event.
If you have information about a missing person or need help to find a loved one and have not contacted the police, then Missing Persons Awareness Day is your chance to do so. The information that you possess may help find or identify a missing person and bring a resolution to their family members and friends.
Quotes
"Together we can achieve great results and this is just another fine example of the partnerships that we share as a police service in prevention and bringing awareness. We are committed to the service we provide to our community and just as committed to our guests who visit. Having a loved one go missing is a tragic situation caused to the families and communities of those who have gone missing. Providing awareness on reporting missing persons and prevention is key to protecting our people and I encourage all to attend and learn more about the Missing Persons Awareness."
- Chief Jerel Swamp, Rama Police Services
"The inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women has given us a painful insight into what families experience when someone goes missing. It is important to create more awareness around this issue to protect our family and friends. Miigwech to our police services for working together to bring this important program to our community."
- Chief Rodney Noganosh, Chippewas of Rama First Nation
"When a loved one goes missing, it leaves a devastating emotional toll on loved ones and communities who are left wondering. The OPP is proud to partner with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and Rama Police Services to provide this Missing Persons Awareness Day. By sharing information regarding missing persons, human trafficking and child safety, we hope we can help prevent families and communities from knowing the pain of these events."
- Interim Commissioner Blair, Ontario Provincial Police
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