Mother of missing Inuk man concerned for son's well-being

A 24-year-old Inuk man went missing earlier this week and his mother and Winnipeg police say they're worried about his well-being. 

Johnny Arragutainaq, 24, was last seen in the Polo Park Area July 3, police said in a news release Saturday. He has not been heard from or seen since, according to the release. 

"I've been so worried about him," said Johnny's mother, Alicie Arragutainaq. "I'm trying not to overthink, I'm trying to be strong, I"m trying to think positive." 

"I've been praying, but still no updates." 

Alicie told CBC News the family has been in Winnipeg from Sanikiluaq, Nunavut since March because of a family member's medical needs. Johnny had been to Winnipeg "lots," but he had never gone missing before, she said. 

Winnipeg police said in their release Johnny is unfamiliar with the city. 

Alicie also said a friend told her Johnny was at the Viscount Gort Hotel Wednesday and when they were going to take a taxi and leave, the 24-year-old said he would walk back and hasn't been seen since. 

One of Johnny's siblings back home in Nunavut called his brother's phone, but Alicie said she was told an unknown woman answered. Alicie said the phone still hasn't been found. 

"When he tried to ask where exactly she found it ... instead she said she was going to leave the phone where she found it and just hung up. 

Arragutainaq is described as five feet, two inches tall, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, grey pants and green sandals, police said. 

Alicie said her son also has a scar on his left eyebrow and could be wearing a white Winnipeg Jets hat.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.