Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo used his time in the legislature last week to renew calls for action in the search for Frank Gruben.
Frank was declared missing on May 6, 2023. What happened remains unclear.
Despite community-led searches and national attention through the Let’s Bring Frank Home campaign, there have been no major updates from authorities.
On Thursday last week, Nerysoo said it had been 894 days since Frank was last seen in Fort Smith.
“894 days of overwhelming grief that Frank’s parents, Frank’s brother, Frank’s sister, Frank’s extended family and the community of Aklavik have had to endure on a daily basis,” he told the legislature.
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“It is not only Frank’s family or his community of Aklavik that is expressing great concern for the whereabouts of Frank, but there is a national campaign for Let’s Bring Frank Home. All of these concerned citizens want answers, comfort and closure for Frank’s family.”
Nerysoo said what he termed a lack of communication from the GNWT and police has been painful for the family, something that “no one should have to go through.” He added that Gruben’s grandmother, who was in her nineties, passed away a few weeks ago without knowing what happened to her grandson.
“Each day that passes is one more day of uncertainty,” Nerysoo said.
“Let’s join this campaign of Let’s Bring Frank Home and bring comfort and closure to the residents of Aklavik and especially Frank’s immediate and extended family.
“We, the Government of the Northwest Territories, have to be a partner in finding and providing answers and updates to the affected families who are experiencing hardships that require our assistance.”
Anyone with information that could assist in the search for Frank is asked to contact the Fort Smith RCMP at 867-872-1111, or you can submit a tip anonymously online.
