ISLAND LAKE FIRST NATION — Police are seeking a known gang member for weapons and breach offences. Crime Stoppers released a photo of 27-year-old Tonia Cantell on Feb. 25 saying her last known location was Island Lake First Nation.
In 2020, Cantell was one of five gang members who led RCMP from six detachments on a 150-kilometre, two-hour chase. Maidstone RCMP reported five members of Westside Outlaws street gang were arrested in that incident. At the time, Cantell of North Battleford, was wanted in Saskatchewan and Alberta on multiple charges.
Earlier that year, while partying at a home on Big Island Lake First Nation, Cantell assaulted a woman by dragging her from a vehicle, throwing her to the ground and repeatedly kicking and stomping her. Cantell then got into the driver’s seat of the vehicle and drove over the woman’s leg as she lay on the ground.
In April 2021, a judge in Meadow Lake Provincial Court called Cantell’s conduct “disgusting” and sentenced her to 720 days in prison. With credit for time served, she had 507 days left. The court also imposed a 10-year weapons ban and ordered her DNA submitted to the National Data Bank.
At the time of Canell’s sentencing, the Crown and defence had entered into a joint submission. Her lawyer told the court that she wanted to leave the street gang and was “very motivated to join STR8UP,” a non-profit group that helps gang members leave the lifestyle.
The judge had said if it wasn’t for the joint submission, he would have sentenced her to more time.
“But for the joint submission that is being put before the court, I would have zero hesitation imposing a longer sentence. Do you understand me? This behaviour is just atrocious.”
Cantell’s brother, Tonio Cantell, 28, was shot and killed in November 2025. Madison Paddy-Jimmy is charged with second-degree murder in his death. Cantell was one of three men found dead at a rural property near Turtleford on Nov. 5, 2025. Turtleford RCMP said they received a report of three people injured at approximately 12:30 p.m. that day. Officers found the three men with serious injuries and attempted life-saving measures, but EMS who attended the scene declared all three men dead.
If you are associated with a gang and want to leave it, contact STR8 UP in northern Saskatchewan at 306-763-3001, STR8 UP in central Saskatchewan at 306-244-1771, or Regina Treaty Status Indian Services in southern Saskatchewan at 306-522-7494 to get assistance.
If you see Tonia Cantell, call your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or report a tip online. Crime Stoppers pays cash for tips leading to an arrest.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
