Loved ones plead for help finding missing woman from St. Mary's First Nation - Action News
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New Brunswick

Loved ones plead for help finding missing woman from St. Mary's First Nation

Erin Brooks, 38, of St. Mary's First Nation was last seen at the Smoke Shop in the First Nation in Fredericton on the evening of Dec. 27.

Erin Brooks was spotted in security camera footage at First Nation store

Erin Brooks, left, of St. Mary's First Nation is pictured here in 2016 with her older sister Amy Paul. (Submitted by Amy Paul)

When Amy Paul thinks of her younger sister, Erin Brooks, she thinks of someone easygoing but outspoken about her beliefs.

"She was beautiful inside and out," Paul said in a phone interview to CBCNews as she recalls lastseeing her sister on Christmas for a family gathering.

"She cared tremendously for her kids and her family, and she never went a day without calling and texting her mom."

It is this devotion to her family that has made theone-month disappearance of the 38-year-old-Brooks even more heart-wrenching for loved ones. Paul said it had been especially difficult explaining the situation to Brooks's two youngest children.

"They're young, they're only 10 and six, so they don't really understand what's going on, but they miss their mom and they want her home," Paul said.

"She has a huge family that loves her dearly."

In a press release on Thursday, the First Nation put a call-out for further help from other communities, "Erin has been missing for 30 days, we are calling on all of our brothers and sisters across turtle island to help bring our sister, mother, daughter and friend home!"

Brooks was last seenin security camera footage at the Smoke Shop in the First Nation on the evening of Dec.27.

Forty-eight hours later, her younger sister, Morgan Henderson, had filed a missing persons report with Fredericton police.

"She seemed fine on Christmas Eve," said Henderson.

"Nothing out of the norm, so when she just kind of up and vanished,it was really odd and we automatically got concerned because that's not like her."

Morgan Henderson becomes emotional as she thinks of the toll her sister's disappearence is having on the whole family. (Mrinali Anchan/CBC)

An advocate for Indigenous women saystime is of the essence as the search continues for Brooks.

Brandy Stanovich is president of the Indigenous Women's Association of the Wabanaki Territories,which is an affiliate of theNative Women's Association of Canada.

"It's concerning she's been gone so long and so many people are worried and just want her to come home," she said.

Henderson has described the past monthas extremely trying for thefamily

"The fact that we don't know anything or where she is, or if she's OKit just eats us alive," she said.

"We were inseparable for a long time she's been my best friend for as long as I can remember."

Morgan Henderson with her older sister Erin Brooks are pictured here with their two youngest daughters. (Submitted by Morgan Henderson)

Fredericton police continue to investigate, but a spokesperson said Wednesday there are no updates.

"This is still an active investigation, and we are still looking into the whereabouts of Ms. Brooks,"police spokespersonAlycia Bartlett wrote in a statement.

Bartlett added that even the smallest tip is welcome as it may help point authorities in the right direction.

What has also been disturbingfor Brooks's family and friends is a 2018 Facebook post,which addresses the systemic failure that is missing and murdered Indigenous women in the nation.

"It definitely tugs on the heartstrings," said Paul, who confirmed the post was by Brooks. "My sister was a strong woman. I know that she hasn't done anything to herself. That's just not how she was."

Stanovichalso noted the troubling nature of the post in relation to the current situation.

"She posted that feeling And now she is, years later, truly missing, so we have to do everything we can to find her."

A facebook post by Erin Brooks from 2018 was posted by Indigenous Women of the Wabanaki Territories to raise awareness and help find Brooks. (Indigenous Women of the Wabanaki Territories/Facebook)

Brooks is described as being between five foot two inches and five foot three inches tall and about 115 pounds.

She has brown eyes and brown hair with bangs and was last seen wearingblue jeans, a black jacket andblack boots.

Anyone with any information about her whereabouts is asked to call the Fredericton police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The family is also offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to finding Brooks.

"Somebody knows something, I'm just hoping that they do the right thing and come forward because we need some closure," said Paul.

Security camera footage showing the last place Erin Brooks was seen.
Erin Brooks was last seen at the Smoke Shop in St. Mary's First Nation on the evening of Dec 27. (@CityFredPolice/Twitter)