The body of missing 17-year-old, Maaike Blom, was discovered in the family home of a TFN member on December 7th. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Maaike. Our youth are important to our future, and this incident saddens our community greatly. Although Maaike was not a TFN Member, she was a resident on our lands and therefore a part of our community.
As a connected community, it is important that we understand what happened to Maaike. We are asking all TFN members and residents on our lands to give the Delta Police Department the respect and time they need to conduct their investigation into this matter. Delta police believe there is no public safety risk in connection with this tragic incident. The TFN government is committed to protecting the safety of the community.
We understand it is hard not to talk about this. But, out of respect for the families, and to ensure the media are directed to police, we respectfully ask that you please not speculate on what may have happened and allow the police to do their work fairly.
TFN is providing Members with access to counselling support. If you would like to speak with a counsellor, please call the 24 hour support line at 1-800-588-8717.
Chief Baird and the Executive Council recognize the importance of observing cultural protocols, and the TFN Culture Department will be assisting in the cultural work that must be done in response to this event.
If you would like to speak with someone at TFN about this issue, please contact Chief Administrative Officer Braden Smith at 604-948-5205. We are here to listen and help.
If you have any information about this incident that may help the investigation, please contact Constable Mike Tegart, Delta Police Department, 604-948-5238.
We will provide updates as often as we can.