SASKATOON — NASHI, a Saskatoon-based group in its 21st year, continues to raise awareness and funds to combat human trafficking.
Wanda Gray, whose reviewer’s wife was a friend of NASHI founder Savelia Curnski, learned about the dedicated group of volunteers. It was mutually agreed that Gray’s message aligned with NASHI’s ongoing mission. She shared her story with a large audience at the organization’s fundraiser in April.
Gray recently wrote a book based on her personal experience with the growing crime of human trafficking.
is a deeply personal memoir that recounts the harrowing true story of Gray's daughter Erin, who was lured and held hostage by a serial predator. The book traces Erin’s descent into drug addiction following prolonged physical, sexual and psychological abuse, and her ongoing struggle with trauma, complex PTSD and repeated relapses.
Told from both Erin’s and her mother’s perspectives, the story follows their parallel journeys through pain, recovery and grief. Blending elements of true crime, memoir and self-help, Broken Butterfly not only sheds light on the dark realities of human trafficking and addiction but also offers hope, practical support and a tribute to Erin’s life and enduring impact.
“I asked my high school English teacher, David Myall, to review the book as I remembered his words from Grade 11. He pointed his finger at me and said, 'Don't you ever stop writing, young lady. You have a gift.' He inspired me to keep writing with articles and short stories for most of my life, not planning on tackling a book, but it was on my bucket list. I didn't plan for it to be this, but here we are.”
Gray’s deeply personal and emotional book, Broken Butterfly, was written to raise awareness of the dangers and reality of human trafficking in Canada and the U.S.
In her presentation, she said, “This is not just in other parts of the world as most people believe, it is very active in Canada and the USA, and it is growing.
“My story also includes navigating addiction in a loved one, loss and grief, but for the purposes of the NASHI event, I focused on how my daughter was lured by a sex trafficker and held hostage, i.e. how and why this happened and what the outcome was.”
Gray said she had only done minimal public speaking before the book’s release, presenting mainly to small audiences through her work in the financial industry.
Book’s author conquers fear of releasing personal story
“Now that I have conquered my trepidation at releasing such a deeply personal story that can read like fiction as it is horrific, I have become more passionate about sharing the realities of how subtle and practiced human traffickers can be when selecting victims."
She added that she’s often asked how much of the story is true, and she assures readers that her daughter’s journals and recordings made during her captivity provide the evidence.
Gray said the trial was long and detailed, but closed to the public. She has never listened to the recordings or watched the videos made by the convicted trafficker.
"I was warned by my daughter, her counsellors and the Crown prosecutor to never listen or watch as I would never sleep again," she said.
At the NASHI fundraiser, Gray emphasized that this crime isn’t limited to movies or distant countries.
“I think because it is so appalling, people tend to shy away from the subject. They prefer to think it happens to others in faraway places because it is safer to think that way—less frightening or threatening. But it is time we woke up to the stark reality that we all need to open our eyes and be aware. I was in doubt when it was happening to my daughter—it seemed too surreal.”
Gray said that as time passed, she began to trust her instincts and recognize that her daughter was indeed in danger.
“My daughter was being held hostage and only I was trying to do something about it. Police were of no help and I did all of the searching on my own. As you heard, it was a complete stranger who spotted her and rescued her the next day. My daughter was taken and held in Victoria, B.C.—known for being a peaceful garden city where nothing bad happens. It happens everywhere and it is invading small towns across the country too,” said Gray.
The mother and now author said she saw intent listening in the crowd at the fundraiser, which gave her the courage to continue.
“This has happened, this is still happening and even more now. I have a hard time controlling my grief when speaking and I just finished a fifth event where I still choked up. But I believe the book event attendees are feeling my pain and realizing that maybe there is something they can do. Because, again, it can happen to anyone.”
She said the applause was overwhelming and many attendees shared their own stories and thanked her for hers.
Gray said that three years after her daughter Erin died, she realized no one was saying her name anymore.
Gray motivated by her daughter's wish to speak out
“I remembered that she had told me she wanted to visit schools and colleges, any place where there were young girls and women, and tell them how she was ‘duped’—lured by a sex trafficker. It would be her cautionary tale. And I was still very deep in my grief, needing to do something before I drowned in it.”
Gray decided to write the book, relying on memories, journals, court-related emails, texts, private messages and more to create a chronological account.
“I wanted to memorialize Erin and her artwork and poetry so someone would always be saying her name and remember the positive impact she had on others. But I also wanted to offer a ‘blueprint’ or ‘map’ of our experience to help others going through something similar. And, to offer education and resources to those who had not and never imagined themselves as doing so. It took three years to write, with many mental health breaks as I was reliving the experience, and it resulted in a book that I wish I had when we were going through those hard times.”
The strong reception to Broken Butterfly has helped Gray move forward. She said she’s humbled by the messages and standing ovations and plans to continue speaking across Canada.
“The book has now reached a large audience in Germany and the U.K., so perhaps my lofty plans will include more international travel with the book. I have been asked to speak at webinars and one is coming up soon for . I have more requests to speak at health and treatment facilities.”
She is also scheduled to speak at a college in Alberta this fall.
Expanding the message to vulnerable groups
“I believe I will expand on that, as this will be completing Erin's goal to reach those most vulnerable and likely to be trafficked. I will also be speaking at an event called here in Victoria on Aug. 2, where I have teamed up with the area's top addictions counsellor. I have not set any other dates yet as I need to take a little break from travelling and focus on media and bookstores for a few weeks.”
Gray said she has connected with other advocates such as Cathy Peters, of the BeAmazing campaign, to push for awareness and change.
When asked by SaskToday for tips for families on identifying signs of trafficking, Gray responded: “Most importantly, if it doesn't feel right, listen to that intuitive sense. Ask questions, be pushy, even at the risk of creating family or friend discourse."
She added that families should watch for isolation tactics, and if a loved one is spending less time with friends and family, talk to those around them and don’t hesitate to involve police.
“What I have seen happening, now that the book is out and I'm speaking publicly about our experience, is a dawning awareness in readers and attendees at events. There is shock, sympathy, newfound awareness and offers to help and questions on what they can do. This is incredibly encouraging and I believe if we keep talking about it, lives will be saved.”
