New push to find missing Manitoulin Island woman

Police on Manitoulin Island have released a new video and missing persons poster in hopes of finding Juanita Migwans, who went missing more than a year ago.

Police on Manitoulin Island have released a new video and missing persons poster in hopes of finding Juanita Migwans, who went missing from M’Chigeeng First Nation more than a year ago.

“Her disappearance remains an active investigation by the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Anishnaabe Police Service, in collaboration with the Ontario Provincial Police,” police said in a news release Wednesday.

“To help raise public awareness and generate fresh leads, UCCM APS and the OPP are launching a new awareness video highlighting Juanita’s case. Juanita’s family has not given up hope and is asking for the public’s help to find information about her whereabouts.”

Migwans was 30 when she was last seen Oct. 4, 2024. She was last seen on Riverside Drive in the First Nation at approximately 5 p.m.

She is Indigenous, with brown eyes and hair. She was last seen wearing a black shirt and black jeans. Migwans has two tattoos – one on her left foot of a bird carrying a ribbon with the text ‘THIS TOO SHALL PASS,’ and another of a heart on her left ankle. She also has a piercing on her right middle ear.

A reward totalling $115,000 is being offered for information “that leads to the conviction of those responsible for Juanita’s disappearance,” said a missing persons poster released by UCCM Police.

The case is part of “a wider national crisis impacting Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people,” officials said.

“According to the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous women and girls represent approximately 11 per cent of missing women in Canada, despite making up only 4.3 per cent of the population.”

UCCM Anishnaabe Police urge anyone with information to call the dedicated tip line at 1-833-941-9010.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.