Volunteers search Regina for missing Jenaya Wapemoose

Friends and family of a missing woman from the Cowessess First Nation held a search in Regina on Saturday.

It has been more than a month since they have had contact with 22-year-old Jenaya Wapemoose, a mother of one.

“She’s very loved, missed and we just want her to come home,” said her aunt Jean Cheekinew. “Jenaya’s a fun-loving girl. She’s awesome. She’s a mother. Her daughter misses her.”

At least 50 people showed up for the search, which started at the Cowessess-owned lot at Albert Street and 7th Avenue. They put up posters and wore white T-shirts with Wapemoose’s picture printed.

“As first Nations people, one of the things we’re very strong with is uniting and sticking together,” said Cowessess Chief Cadmus Delorme.

“When somebody’s missing, it doesn’t matter if it’s a First Nations (person) or not; Regina is a very concerned and loving area and I’m really happy for the support that we got this morning.”

Volunteers searching for Jenaya Wapemoose hung posters of the missing 22-year-old woman.

Cheekinew said she was touched by the turnout, saying she relies on the support of family and friends to cope with Wapemoose’s disappearance.

On May 10, Regina police issued a news release asking for the public’s help to find Wapemoose, saying the woman was last seen on March 10.

In an update on Friday, police said they were still investigating. The release added that family contacted them on May 7 to report her disappearance.

Police said officers have been “following up on tips received, evaluating that information and identifying actions for the investigators.”

Wapemoose is described as female, Indigenous, 5-foot-4 and 130 pounds with a thin build. She has shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes. She also has a tattoo of stars on her neck.