Marie Henein says she will act for Dawn Walker on her Canadian charges, which include public nuisance and child abduction in breach of a custody order.
Henein is one of the nation’s most prominent defense attorneys, known for defending people in many high-profile cases, including Michael Bryant, Vice Admiral Mark Norman and Jian Ghomeshi.
Walker also faces two charges in the United States related to identity fraud for allegedly crossing the border with fake IDs, but earlier this week, an Oregon judge ordered Walker returned to Canada to face her charges here.
Meanwhile, some of Walker’s family and friends say she will have the support of her community.
Walker, 48, was due to surrender to Canadian authorities on Wednesday after spending two weeks in US federal custody.
“It’s the best news, really,” said Kathy Walker, Dawn Walker’s younger sister.
“It is truly an answer to our prayers and hopes. The battle is not over, but knowing that he is no longer sitting in a US prison is wonderful news.”
Dawn Walker, 48, was due to surrender to Canadian authorities on Wednesday after spending two weeks in US federal custody. (Submitted by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations)
CBC News confirmed Thursday morning that Walker was in RCMP custody in Surrey, BC.
Police allege Walker faked her and her son’s deaths, prompting an extensive two-week missing persons search before the pair were found in Oregon City, Oregon, earlier this month.
At her detention hearing Tuesday in Oregon, U.S. federal public defender Megha Desai told the court that Walker is a victim of domestic abuse and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Walker’s son’s father told Saskatoon radio station CKOM that he would never harm her or the boy. Saskatoon police said any previous complaints against Walker were investigated, but no charges were laid.
Eleanore Sunchild, a Saskatchewan lawyer and friend of Walker’s, said her case is important because it highlights the challenges Indigenous women face when accessing the justice system.
This has also been documented in the report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and its calls for justice, Sunchild said.
The report says the Canadian legal system is failing to adequately respond to partner crime against Indigenous women and girls.
“There are very real and systemic issues raised by this case that continue to require action,” Sunchild said Wednesday from Saskatoon.
Walker is a member of the Okanese First Nation, which is part of Treaty 4 in southern Saskatchewan. She is also a renowned author and had served as chief executive for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations for 10 years.
Sunchild said Walker’s story resonates with other women across Canada who have their own stories of abuse and will continue to support Walker as her case works its way through the courts.
“I’m so glad people were able to see Dawn’s point of view,” Sunchild said. “It’s really great to see people supporting her and being able to relate to her story.”
