CANADA Canada- 'Frank Gruben, 30, student & member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Fort Smith, N.W.T, 5 May 2023

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The last known photo of Frank Gruben at the snake pits in Fort Smith. (Submitted by Steven Gruben)
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Jenna Dulewich · CBC · Posted: May 26, 2023 lengthy article.
''Frank Gruben has a smile that could light up any room.

The oldest of his siblings, Gruben — a Gwich'in Inuvialuit who was born and raised in Aklavik, N.W.T. — is described as someone who loves learning, teaching Gwich'in, and making people laugh with his silly gestures and behaviour.

Gruben is currently missing from Fort Smith, N.W.T. No one has seen him for the last 20 days.

"I just really wish and hope that someone would come forward if they have any information regarding what happened to my brother or the whereabouts or where we could find him," said Steven Gruben, Frank's brother.''

Frank was in Fort Smith attending post-secondary school at the time of his disappearance. Steven said his brother left Aklavik last August. As far as the family knew, Frank was enjoying his time in the South Slave and spoke about making it his home.

"We thought he had really good friends and everything there, so we never really thought anything," Steven said.

Frank's mother was the last immediate family member to speak to Frank, Steven said. She last called him on May 3, the day before Frank turned 30.''

''Deeply involved with his culture and a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Steven said his brother loves his elders, had the most fun on the local radio station in Aklavik, and is an inspiration to his baby sister Kimberlyn.

"Frank was a kind-hearted, handsome young man. Always willing to help anyone who asked for help," Steven said''

As the search continues, the family is sending out a plea to anyone with information to come forward.''

"There's so many people that are heartbroken, and many, a lot of them, miss my brother — including me. I just want him home," Steven said.

Anyone with information about Frank Gruben is asked to call the Fort Smith RCMP at 867-872-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).''
 

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A map of Fort Smith used by the search party, with sectors of the town marked in Yellow and the starting point for the first day marked by CKLB in red. (Facebook photo)

''Frank Gruben​

AGE30
GENDERMale
STATUSMissing
MISSING SINCE05/05/2023
DEMOGRAPHICInuit
WHO TO CONTACTFort Smith detachment at
CALL867-872-1111
REFERENCE #

LOCATION: Fort Smith, NT X0E, Canada​


Description​


  • EYES: Brown
  • HAIR: Black
  • HEIGHT: 6'1"
  • NOTICEABLE CHARACTERISTICS: Not released
  • LOCATION LAST SEEN: Have you seen Frank Gruben?
  • Fort Smith RCMP have asked for the public’s help to find Frank Gruben. Frank was last seen May 05,2023 he was last seen in Fort Smith, NT
Anyone with information about Gruben’s whereabouts to contact the Fort Smith detachment at 867-872-1111 or leave a tip via Crime Stoppers .No further information was released.

TAGS: #FortSmith, #NT, #FortSmithRCMP, #Reddrumalert, #MissingPerson, #Missingincanada, #NoMoreStolenBrothers, #MMIMB, #Aboriginalalert, #RCMP, #Police, #CrimeStoppers''
 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/sydney-lecky-gruben-search-police-priorities-1.6896592

The head of RCMP in the N.W.T. says he hears Frank Gruben's family's pain in having a loved one still missing.

The Gwich'in Inuvialuit man has been missing for about two months and was last seen in Fort Smith, N.W.T.

Gruben's family has criticized the police's efforts in trying to find him. RCMP have said they have repeatedly called for information from the public and continue investigating.

"If you don't find the family member, the loved one, nothing you do will be enough," said RCMP Chief Supt. Sydney Lecky. "We understand that and I appreciate it."

Still, he added that all of the police's leads so far have been "exhausted."

"I can tell you that we've had a consultation with experts within the policing world from Ottawa right through to British Columbia to try and engage other supports," Lecky said.
 
Aastha Sethi·September 30, 2023

''Almost five months since Frank Gruben went missing, his brother, Steven, is still seeking answers about his whereabouts from authorities.​

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“I feel like we’re on standby mode,” Steven Gruben said by phone on Friday. “It’s either going to be like this for the rest of our lives, or until we find my brother.”

Frank, 30, who is Inuvialuit and Gwich’in, grew up in Aklavik before moving to study in Fort Smith. His disappearance from the town – he was last seen on May 6 – has been followed by weeks of investigation and volunteer-led searches.

Cpl Matt Halstead, an NWT RCMP spokesperson, said the investigation into Frank’s disappearance is ongoing but no new information has come in.

“We don’t know where to look,” Halstead said. “We don’t know who else to speak with.”

''If you have information that can help locate Frank, RCMP ask that you call the Fort Smith detachment at 867-872-1111. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.''
 
After reading this section of the article in the OP I can better understand the family frustration with LE (BBM):

"The pain is deep for the family, as this is not the first family member to go missing in the South Slave.

Frank Stewart, grandfather of Frank and Steven Gruben, went missing in Hay River years before they were born.

Stewart was attending a Dene Nation meeting in Hay River in 1983 when he was reported missing. RCMP confirmed the missing person file is still active."

1983 to 2023 and their poor family is praying both will be found. Sigh.
 
In the meantime, this area has been ravaged by wildfires.

"2S" as a sexual identity means "Two Spirit", used to describe North American Indigenous people who identify as neither fully male nor female.
 
Oct 4 2023
"I was speaking to his mom today," Jacobson said. "'Frank was such a lovable person,' she says. Always laughing, having a good time. He loved the Gwich'in language. He loved his family. He was harmless. Frank would never hurt anyone. Mr. Speaker. For him to go missing without any reason doesn't make no sense."

Jacobson asked Justice Minister R.J. Simpson to begin a new search for Gruben before winter sets in and to ensure that the RCMP are updating the family.

"I need a plan, a go-forward plan, so I could give it to his mother," he said. "So I'm requesting the minister to pick up the phone, either today or tomorrow, just to get the update, so we could update the family.''

Jacobson urged anyone with information about Gruben's disappearance to call the Fort Smith RCMP at 867-872-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.''
 

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