Janine Morin speaks to reporters during an awareness walk in North Battleford on July 10, 2025. The annual walk marks seven years since her sister, Ashley Morin, disappeared. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

'BRING ASH HOME'

‘Speak up’: 7 years later, hope endures as family and community walk for Ashley Morin

Jul 10, 2025 | 3:38 PM

Seven years after Ashley Morin disappeared, her family and community are still walking for her — and still holding onto hope that one day she’ll come home.

On Thursday, over 100 people in North Battleford took part in the annual awareness walk for the 31-year-old woman who went missing on July 10, 2018.

For Ashley’s sister, Janine Morin, seeing so many people show up means everything.

“I’m very, very overwhelmed with the turnout, the support coming from family, friends, our community,” she said. “I’ve had people come from Saskatoon, from Alberta. It’s very, very heartwarming, overwhelming, to say the least.”

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The family said their pain is constant. Each new day brings the same question: will this be the day they finally get answers?

“We’re coping. We’re waking up every day. You know it’s hard. Some days… we have our moments, yes, but we get up each and every day, and hope that day will be the day that we get the tip that we need to find her,” Janine said.

Ashley’s disappearance is being treated as a homicide by RCMP, but her family hasn’t given up hope that the truth will come out — and they’re pleading with anyone who knows something to speak up.

“If you know something, speak up. As minor detail as you think, it could lead to something,” Janine said. “There’s a $30,000 reward for any information leading up to finding her. Call RCMP, call Crime Stoppers, anything.”

Participants advocated for Morin and others during the walk on July 10, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

In June, RCMP carried out a week-long search along the North Saskatchewan River as part of renewed efforts to bring Ashley home. The operation involved the Underwater Recovery Team, Historical Case Unit, Search and Rescue, and the local detachment. Officers combed the river and banks near the Battlefords with boats, divers and ground crews searching shoulder-to-shoulder.

“They’re trying to search in a thorough, consistent manner to look for, number one, Ashley’s remains — that’s probably the primary component of this search — but also potential evidence that could be linked to her death,” said Supt. Josh Graham, who led the operation.

He said they’ve received hundreds of tips since Morin went missing — and believe she was likely the victim of foul play.

“There’s no real reason for her to have vanished… this would be absolutely abnormal for her to not have been in contact with family,” Graham said.

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

While that search has ended for now, police said the case is far from closed.

“To Ashley’s loved ones: Investigators will continue to pursue leads and analyze evidence until we determine what happened to your daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie, cousin and friend,” said Insp. Ashley St. Germaine, Senior Investigative Officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch, in a statement.

“And to the individual, or individuals, responsible for Ashley’s disappearance: We will not stop investigating until you’re held accountable, and we can tell Ashley’s loved ones what happened to her.”

North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin, left, and Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie take part in the awareness walk for Ashley Morin in North Battleford on July 10, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Local leaders who joined the walk said they want the family to know they’re not alone.

“We don’t want them to give up on hope, and we want to keep continuing to energize them in the search for Ashley. But it really comes down to, this is our community, and we really have to lean on and support one another,” said North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin.

Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie said the Morin family’s strength is a lesson in resilience.

“Having murdered and missing Indigenous women and people is something that our community needs to eradicate and not have any more, and to be here to support the family and show that, as a community, we’re one,” Leslie said.

“Every person who is affected or has gone missing in our community [is] just as important as the next.”

Inspector Ryan How, commander of the Battlefords RCMP, takes part in the awareness walk for Ashley Morin in North Battleford on July 10, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

RCMP Inspector Ryan How, commander of the Battlefords detachment, told those gathered that police hear the family’s pleas loud and clear.

“I have to commend the family for the effort and organization that went into this. It’s a tremendous event to make sure that this scenario stays forefront in our mind,” How said.

“I want to reassure you that when you say, ‘Bring Ash home,’ we hear you loud and clear.”

Anyone with information about what happened to Ashley Morin can contact RCMP at 310-RCMP (7267) or local police of jurisdiction.Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com