🚨 Family of Missing Edmonton Teen Samuel Bird Speaks at Dawson Park Command Post
Dawson Park in Edmonton was filled with supporters this weekend as the mother of Samuel Bird, a missing Indigenous teen, provided an update on the ongoing search and recent developments in the case.
Samuel, age 14, was last seen on June 1 in the city’s Canora neighbourhood. His disappearance was classified as suspicious in August after the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations urged police to consider the case as a potential recovery mission.
For months, family members and volunteers have searched the North Saskatchewan River and surrounding areas Samuel was known to frequent in both west and south Edmonton. Dawson Park has become the hub of these efforts, with a 24-hour volunteer command post set up to manage mapping and logistics.
On Saturday, Samuel’s mother, Alanna Bird, spoke to the gathered crowd. She noted that while she appreciates the steps taken by investigators, her family continues to rely heavily on community support. “We acknowledge that the Edmonton Police have taken steps to follow through on tips and information shared. We appreciate their efforts in seeking justice for my son, Samuel. But our work does not stop here.”
Earlier in the week, police confirmed they executed a search warrant connected to Samuel’s disappearance, though no further details about the location or findings were released. Officers have also been investigating disturbing videos and images of a violent nature that were sent to the family, working to determine their authenticity.
Alanna told supporters: “I know that the house was raided, and I hear police are still there … It was a long time coming. I just hope that whoever’s involved comes forward, because they’re going to get caught anyway.”
She also expressed gratitude to volunteers for their “heartwarming” commitment and urged the public to continue spreading awareness by sharing Samuel’s posters: “We aren’t going to give up looking for my son. We’ll always be searching, if it’s the middle of winter or spring. I just hope it doesn’t last that long.”
Samuel’s grandmother, or kôhkom, spoke publicly for the first time. She shared her deep worry not only for Samuel but for all missing Indigenous people. “There are other missing people that we know of. I pray for those also. I wish I could speak my Cree language, which is more meaningful than speaking this foreign language. That’s all I’m going to say. Find him.”
Community organizer Dakota Bear emphasized that Samuel should be remembered first and foremost as a teenage boy whose life has been tragically disrupted. “As Indigenous people, we do face many issues, but we’re really focused on the fact that Samuel’s a teenage boy. That’s who he was, and what happened to him was tragic.”
The Dawson Park Command Post has grown significantly, with more than 100 volunteers tracking and mapping search areas on land and water. “Samuel is loved. He is more than just a case number,” Alanna said. “Justice will prevail, and we will not stop until my son is brought home.”
Source: CTV News
👉 What You Can Do
Please share Samuel’s story to help spread awareness and support his family’s ongoing search efforts. Community involvement and solidarity are critical in keeping missing children cases active and visible.
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