PRESS RELEASE - May 11, 2011
For Immediate Release
NESKIE MANUEL - NESKONLITH BAND COUNCILLOR MISSING REMAINS MISSING FOR A FORTH DAY: SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS CONTINUE TO COMB THROUGH THE AREA AROUND NESKONLITH LAKE
(Neskonlith Indian Reserve May 11th, 2011) The search continues for Neskie
Manuel, a 30 year old Neskonlith Indian Band Councillor who went missing Sunday
May 8th, 2011 from family camping grounds near Neskonlith Lake by Chase BC.
Search and rescue teams from Kamloops, Shuswap and Vernon are working with
community volunteers to comb the rugged mountain terrain, the lakes and the
Thompson River. Aerial coverage has also been conducted without any sign of the
young man. Neskie has recently suffered a traumatic experience and has also been
disoriented he has never left without notifying family members.
The family is very grateful for the volunteers, donations and assistance
everyone is providing at this time. Yesterday over 60 people came out to search
the Neskonlith Lake areas. Neskie Manuel is a Native male, 6'0 approximately,
180-190 lbs, he wears glasses but may not have them, and was wearing a grey
sweater, dark jeans and orange ¾ top Nike running shoes with an orange swoosh
logo. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the local
RCMP detachment.
The family is very concerned no solid leads have been reported, and plead for
people to come forward with new information about Neskie Manuel or if they have
seen a person matching the description.
Neskie is a very active community member for Neskonlith Indian Band and is a
cycling enthusiast who cycled across Canada in 2007 on a single speed bike. He
attended TRU and majored in physics and minored in mathematics. Neskie joined
the United States Navy in 1998 and was deployed as a Aviation Machinist Mate at
various locations in south East Asia until September of 2001. He is a board
member on the Secwepemc Cultural Education Society, National Mining Watch, First
Nations Technology Council (alternate for Chief Wilson) and is a strong advocate
Secwepemcts<n language. Neskie is currently the station manager and programmer
for Secwepemc Radio 91.1 the local radio that has been serving the Lakes
Division of the Secwepemc Nation for the past four years. He has a global
network of friends and colleagues across Canada and worldwide. The family is
very anxious for him to return home safely and is seeking the public's
assistance in getting the word out about Neskie and receiving any information
about his whereabouts.
The Neskonlith Band Council and band administration is working collaboratively
with the Manuel family to provide assistance to locate Neskie. The Shuswap
Search and Rescue, Rob Udi is coordinating the ground, aerial and waterways for
the area and is working directly with the local Chase RCMP Detachment.
Contact any: Local RCMP Detachment if you have any information or sightings. And
for family support, donations email the Neskonlith band at
daniellemorin@... or call the band office at 250-679-3295. The
main communications centre/community gathering is at the Neskonlith band Hall.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES OR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Arthur Manuel, Father: cell: 250-319 0688
Beverly Manuel, Mother: 250-679-2823
Chief Judy Wilson: 250-320-7738
The site for the Vancouver local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.