James John
NECKOWAY
74
29
69 inches
69 inches
154 lbs
154 lbs
Indigenous
Male
On a day filled with the promise of a successful hunt and fish, James John Neckoway, a 29-year-old Indigenous man, set out on a journey from which he would not return. On September 19, 1980, he and a friend departed from Bird, Manitoba, their canoe slicing through the waters of the Limestone River. Their plan was to navigate down the river and then continue onto the Nelson River, a route familiar to those who lived by the land in this part of the province. At the time of his disappearance, James stood at 69 inches tall and weighed approximately 154 pounds. He had a medium build, with black hair, brown eyes, and a light complexion. When he was last seen, he was wearing a blue jacket. The hopeful anticipation of their trip turned to concern when the pair did not return as expected. A search was initiated, and the grim discovery of their canoe was made on September 23, 1980. Alongside the overturned vessel, the body of James's friend was also recovered. The vast and unforgiving wilderness had claimed one life, and held the fate of another in its silence. Despite the efforts of searchers, James was nowhere to be found, the remote landscape offering no clues as to his whereabouts. The official search may have concluded, but for the family and community of James John Neckoway, the passage of time has not diminished the sense of loss. He is presumed to have drowned in the turbulent waters of the river system he and his friend were navigating. His case remains open, a poignant reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life. The story of his disappearance is one of a routine excursion into the wild that ended in tragedy, leaving a family without answers and a community with a missing member who has never been forgotten.
Jacket Blue
Sep 19, 1980
Bird
Manitoba
Gillam RCMP
Gillam
Manitoba
(204) 983-5461
(204) 983-5461
Law Enforcement
2015132783
Gillam RCMP
Black
Brown
Brown
Build: Medium; Complexion: Light/Fair
No
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