'It's heartbreaking': Saskatchewan powwow dancer offers $500 reward for stolen regalia
An Indigenous dancer is searching for answers after she says her regalia was stolen.
Graycen Thomas says five full sets of Old Style Fancy Dance regalia were taken from the backseat of her vehicle that was parked downtown in Saskatoon.
On Tuesday night around 9 p.m., Thomas says she parked along 2nd Avenue South to go to the Scotiabank Theatre.
At the end of the film, when she returned to her vehicle, she noticed someone had rummaged through her car.
Thomas says her wallet, and a suitcase containing the regalia, were stolen.
"I wasn't ok, and I'm still not ok," she says.
Thomas, who is from the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, said the regalia included special beadwork made by her mom.
"It's heartbreaking," she told CTV News outside the movie theatre where it happened.
(Courtesy: Graycen Thomas)
The 19 year old has searched alleys and dumpsters — hoping someone left it, not realizing its value.
She estimates the stolen regalia is worth about $5,000. But for Thomas, it's worth so much more.
"It's a part of who I am. It's part of my culture," she says.
"It's really significant to me because every part of my regalia means something. You know, it shows who I am, as a person, as an Indigenous person."
Thomas is offering a $500 reward for the return of the regalia.
She's urging anyone with information about the regalia to contact her, or Saskatoon Police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post removes deadline for Santa letter program amid strike
Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers' strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season.
Young Manitoba woman dies after medical emergency during dental appointment
The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) said it is investigating a critical incident where a young woman from the Morden-Winkler area died following a dental appointment.
South Korean parliament votes to defy president by lifting his declaration of martial law
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday, vowing to eliminate 'anti-state' forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the country's parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea.
After meeting with Trump, Trudeau to brief opposition leaders
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with all opposition leaders today before question period to brief them about his meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
Jewish pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Ottawa parliament building
A group of Jewish-Canadian activists protesting Israel's ongoing armed offensive in Gaza have occupied a parliamentary building in Ottawa on Tuesday morning.
Toronto library apologizes after staff at east-end branch refuse to help lost girl
The Toronto Public Library is apologizing after staff at a branch in the city’s east end refused to provide a lost child with access to a telephone.
2 Ontario men charged after police seize US$40M in suspected cocaine from tractor-trailer in Illinois
Two Ontario men are facing charges after police in the U.S. say they seized 540 kilograms of cocaine from a tractor-trailer along Interstate 80 in Illinois.
Quebec prisons on lockdown after correctional officer severely beaten
Quebec prisons were in lockdown on Tuesday after a correction officer at the Sorel-Tracy detention centre was attacked this week.
This salad brand is being recalled again. Here's why
A Taylor Farms salad kit is being recalled over concerns of a salmonella contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.