Shae Perkins is reminiscing memories with his best friend, thinking back to their late nights together when they’d talk about “pretty much anything.”
“And how much I miss their laugh,” Perkins said. “They have the biggest ‘booming’ laugh in the world. And they tell so many stories. I miss their stories.”
He’s referring to Bear Henry, a missing genderqueer Two-Spirit 37-year-old originally from Penelakut and Cowichan First Nations on Vancouver Island.
Henry last contacted family over two months ago, with RCMP, friends and family now renewing a call for help in finding them.
“It’s been hard, definitely,” Perkins told Victoria Buzz in an interview.
“It’s been hardest on their cousin Avery. They were the closest person in the world to Bear, and I know it’s been a big struggle for them.”
According to officials, Henry was reported missing to VicPD on December 11th. Since then, police agencies across the island have been assisting with the investigation.
“The search is still ongoing,” Perkins said.
“It’s been really difficult with all the snow. That’s the biggest struggle. So many places that folks want to go look are snowed out.”
Police say RCMP Air Services have flown over areas believed to be where Henry may have travelled, including Fairy Creek, but crews have had no luck finding them or their van.
Henry was last seen driving the brown 1980 Dodge Royal camper van with BC license plate NB206H in the Lake Cowichan area on November 27th.
Please share & help us locate missing person Kevin "Bear" Henry.
Described as: Indigenous, 37 yrs, 6'3'', 300 lbs, brown hair, green eyes.
Driving a 1980 Dodge Royal camper van BC Plate: NB206H.https://t.co/iVXH75wUOI pic.twitter.com/9HmZRUvVYD
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) December 15, 2021
“I know that the RCMP have done one or two helicopter flights, and we fundraised for one as well,” Perkins said.
“We crowdfunded some money but were still unable to see anything. It’s a big van, so you’d think it would be hard for it to go missing that easily, but with the weather, it’s just been so against us.”
According to Perkins, Henry’s definition of family is a little different from others, “especially as a Queer-Indigenous person.”
“For a lot of folks, family is more chosen family,” he said. “The folks in their inner circle are probably me and Avery and Dana and Tareem – their closest friends.”
Perkins says the friends have been struggling with Henry’s disappearance, but they’re supporting each other and staying positive.
In fact, he says that a positive outlook and willingness to help the local community is what first brought him and Henry together.
“We became really close doing a lot of outreach together and mutual aid work. We developed a very mutually supportive relationship with each other as well. We helped each other through a lot of really difficult times.”
Perkins is now pointing to the Bear Henry is Missing Facebook group, noting the love and support pouring in online is “really, really incredible.”
The group’s fact sheet lists Henry as 6’2”, weighing around 300 pounds with brown skin, hazel/green eyes and short brown hair. They often wear skirts and leggings.
“The Facebook page is the main way information is shared,” Perkins adds.
“Updates on the search go up on there. There’s access to information as to what’s been done and what areas have been searched so far.”
RCMP says investigators continue to liaise with Henry’s family, sharing information on efforts made and developments.
They’re asking anyone who may have any information that may help in the search for Henry to call the Lake Cowichan RCMP (250) 749-6668.
