William Peter Teya, a respected 73-year-old elder and traditional hunter and trapper from Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, was last seen on September 21, 2006. He was the grandson of Chief Julius Salu and had a history of stroke, which heightened concern for his welfare. When last seen he wore brown moccasins with rubber soles, a dark baseball cap, dark pants, and a black jacket with E. Gruben Transport on the chest.

Three days later he was reported missing and an extensive search followed: more than 30 volunteers from Fort McPherson and nearby Gwich’in communities scoured areas he frequented, including his Peel River cabin. The RCMP deployed a helicopter with spotters and a police dog from Yellowknife, but the official search was eventually called off without finding him. The family held a memorial in June 2007; in September 2010 the N.W.T. RCMP said new tips prompted the case to be elevated to the major crime unit in Yellowknife. The investigation remains open and Mr. Teya has not been located.

Did anyone in Fort McPherson or the surrounding Gwich’in communities have contact with William in the days before September 21, 2006?