'Never quit searching': Sask. marks 10th anniversary of Missing Persons Week

Government officials and families of long-term missing persons marked the start of Missing Persons Week in Saskatchewan at Wascana Place.

It's an important time for people like Melanie Alix, whose son Dylan Koshman has been missing for 15 years.

“It is always there. So to have this event, to reach out to the public, to Canada, to say that there are still missing people in Saskatchewan and we’ll never ever quit searching,” she said.

“No matter how much time has gone by, that loved one is still very much alive in our lives and its really, really tough.”

The week of remembrance, which runs from May 1 to May 7, was officially launched with the “Walk to Honour the Missing” followed by a bench dedication ceremony at the Missing Persons Tree and Bench in Wascana Park.

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This year’s theme: ‘Never Forgotten: Honouring the Missing and Supporting their Families’ is aimed at raising awareness of missing persons as well as prevention and support services.

As part of the ceremony, flowers and messages were placed at the Missing Persons Tree, representing the 137 long-term missing people in Saskatchewan.

It was a gesture that brought comfort to the families in attendence, according to Alix.

“It was very emotional. Acknowledging that he is still in my heart but not with me here and to be able to send him a message through this beautiful ceremony was huge. Watching the other families send their loved ones messages and seeing them here was very comforting. Hard but comforting,” she said.

“Nobody wants to belong to this group, but yet we are very grateful that we have each other.”

“As we reflect on ten years of marking Missing Persons Week, it is significant to consider that every missing person’s case is an active file until investigators can find answers,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell said.

“To the families of missing people, we know we cannot ease the fear you live with, yet we do support you in hope.”

For Alix, the yearly event offers understanding and the reassurance she isn’t alone in her struggle.

“To come here and bond with the other mothers and families, it’s huge to listen to each other’s stories,” she said.

“To have people actually understand exactly what you went through and what you’re still going through.”

The week is organized by the Saskatchewan Missing Persons Partnership (SMPP), a collaboration between government, police, Indigenous and community based organizations.

SMPP partners are set to host several events in person and online for the duration of Missing Persons Week.

More details can be found on the SMPP website.

With files from CTV News' Hallee Mandryk.