On March 21, 2006, four-year-old Tayven Hyancynth Columb Bear fell through the ice on the Churchill River near Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan, while playing with two other children. He was described as an Indigenous boy with dark brown hair and brown eyes, about 3 feet 5 inches tall and roughly 51 pounds. He wore a blue and white T-shirt, a black, white and red sweater, green pants, a black, blue and red winter jacket, a toque, blue mitts, ski pants and winter boots.

Searchers immediately began looking for Tayven but the river’s conditions prevented recovery and his body was never found. The official account is that the incident was a tragic accident; the case remains an active missing persons file with the F Division RCMP Historical Case Unit. The family has not been able to lay him to rest and the community continues to grieve.

If anyone in Sandy Bay or nearby areas remembers that day or has information about the search or scene, please share what you know.