MOOSE FACTORY - A Moose Factory father is determined to find justice for his daughter who was killed in a hit-and-run incident nearly a year ago
Loni Chum was 21 years old when she was found dead on Nov. 7, 2023 on Jaban Street in Moose Factory, a remote island community in Northern Ontario.
As the investigation continues, Loni’s father, Robert Chum, has been speaking out on social media.
“All we want is justice for Loni. That's our motive. We want the people that are responsible to come forward. Acknowledge your mistake and just be honest with yourselves,” Chum told TimminsToday.
Loni was an "outgoing" and "strong" individual with a deep love for the wilderness.
"She was always at home in the bush. Her dream was to be a hunter and harvester of the land," he said.
“She was one tough kid. She was very well spoken. She was caring. She cared about a lot of things. She cared about life. She cared about other people who were sad. She always wanted to be there to make sure to comfort them with words. That’s the way she was. I have nothing but good things to say about her.”
Chum said Loni’s resilience was evident in her battle with health issues over the years, including a scoliosis surgery at 13 and a severe septic shock in 2017 where she spent two months in The Ottawa Hospital. At the time of her death, Chum said Loni was going back to school to get her Grade 12 diploma.
Loni has three sisters and two brothers.
“She has a little brother who’s seven. They were really close, those two. That’s who’s taking it the hardest, is him,” Chum said.
“Just the way it happened, the way it was so sudden, that’s what’s taking a lot out of us. We never thought something like this would ever happen to us or to our family.”
'We're just waiting for closure'
James Bay OPP and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) are leading the investigation into Loni's death.
Police believe she was hit by a pick-up truck early on Nov. 7, 2023.
Chum and his spouse were out of town when Loni was killed.
They got the call from police around 4 a.m. notifying them of what happened. According to Chum, about an hour after Loni was struck, an anonymous 911 call was made at 3:12 a.m. saying she had been hit.
Since November, police have issued appeals for information. On Monday (Aug. 19), it was announced that the Government of Ontario is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for her death.
SEE: $50K reward offered in woman's death in Moose Factory
Moose Factory is a remote community on the southern end of James Bay. There is no bridge connecting the island to Moosonee, which is on the mainland across the Moose River.
The majority of access to the community is via boat in the summer and on the winter road when the river is frozen. When the water is freezing or thawing, there is no road access.
Loni was killed during freeze-up and the only way to get to the island was by helicopter, said Chum.
“There’s only so many vehicles on the island. It's just frustrating. We're just waiting for closure,” he said.
"I know in Timmins as well they have the opioid crisis that's going on. A lot of people are riding around intoxicated or, you know, high on drugs. We feel that was a factor and that's why people are being so quiet about it.”
Moose Factory is a small community, Chum said.
“It’s a mile wide and two miles long. People know, and it's sad that nobody's come forward yet. And that's what breaks our hearts. We thought our community was better than this, and it's just sad to see the way it's changed over the years, like all the hidden secrets,” he said.
“Loni called Moose Factory her home. She really loved it. And it's just sad that the person that took her life hasn't come forward yet. It's been 289 days today.”
A 2023 Statistics Canada report shows that Indigenous women and girls were six times more likely to be murdered than other groups of people.
Chum said his family has received a lot of support from police as well as Moose Cree First Nation’s chief and council.
“They call me every two weeks just to update me on things that have been happening, what they’re planning, all of that stuff. They’ve been doing good. They're listening. They’re honest with us. They’re campaigning alongside us,” he said.
"Especially with this reward they just put out Monday. They're more than policemen, they feel our pain at the same time.”
Justice for Loni
On Aug. 11, Chum and his family held a three-kilometre walk in memory of Loni. About 200 people took part.
“We had a little ceremony where she died. We offered food and tobacco in the traditional ways that we do. We had my mom's church group sing a song where she passed on. We continued our walk all the way where she was last seen on cameras,” he said.
The family also wants to hold a memorial service for Loni at their camp on the east side of James Bay, about 31 air miles from Moose Factory.
To help cover the cost of that, #JusticeForLoni clothing is being sold.
“It’s to pay for all the chopper fares to bring the people we want to take there to have at the service,” he said.
Chum said it’s important to continue telling Loni’s story online.
“The more you speak about it, the more the word will get out, and the faster, hopefully, it'll get solved,” he said.
“I’m very adamant to find Loni’s killers. Very adamant to find out what happened. What truly happened to her. I want to know.”
In May, Chum said he had a heart attack while at their camp and was airlifted to Kingston where he had three stents put in.
“They say broken heart syndrome is real, and it is,” he said.
“I don't wish this on anybody, to ever experience what we're going through.”
Chum said he’s still here for a reason — and that reason is to continue advocating for Loni.
Anyone with information on Loni's death should call OPP at 1-800-310-1122 or their nearest policing authority. To remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Those interested in purchasing #JusticeForLoni clothing can email Chum at [email protected] or message him on Facebook.
If you've been impacted by this story, a free 24/7 crisis line is available by calling 1-844-413-6649 for people requiring emotional help related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.