Burns Lake RCMP have presented a street sign in honour of six-year-old Oaklynn Schweder, which will be installed on a street named after her by the Skin Tyee Band.
Oaklynn, an autistic, non-verbal girl, was reported missing on September 19 and was found three days later, on September 22, after a large-scale search operation led by the RCMP and Search & Rescue teams.
Burns Lake Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Josh Smith commissioned a local artisan Man Cave Creations to create a street sign in honour of Oaklynn.
Oaklynn celebrated her seventh birthday on September 30, which coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The street where the Skin Tyee Band office is located has been named 'Oaklynn Drive' in her honour, as she was found behind the Band office in the forest.
Upon Oaklynn's safe return, the community decided to hold a feast. The following day, a gathering took place at the Skin Tyee Band hall, where hereditary chief Helen Michelle dedicated the road as "Oaklynn Drive" to commemorate the community's efforts in finding her. At the event hereditary chief Helen also draped an RCMP blanket over Oaklynn's shoulders as a gift.
"Given that it was Oaklynn's birthday on September 30, which is also National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the RCMP thought it would be appropriate to create a special sign for the road named by the hereditary chief," Smith said.
This sign was a gift to the band on both National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Oaklynn's birthday, he added.
“We were able to get that sign made up by a local artisan and present it to Oaklynn and the band on her birthday.”
Smith also mentioned that the investigation into Oaklynn's disappearance remains active.
"From the onset, we started an investigation into Oaklynn's missing and mobilized resources to attempt to find her. All possibilities have been investigated so far, including that of abduction. We do have evidence that supports that she wandered off, with witnesses. However, there's no indication and no evidence that comes to light to support an abduction.”