Community Rallies as Search for Missing Edmonton Teen, Samuel Bird, Continues
Volunteers are tirelessly maintaining a sacred fire in Edmonton's river valley, symbolizing the unwavering hope in the ongoing search for Samuel Bird, a 14-year-old from Paul First Nation. Samuel went missing in west Edmonton on June 1st, and the community has mobilized to support his family.
Dawson Park Command Post: A Hub for Search Efforts
A command post has been established in Dawson Park, serving as a central location for coordinating search efforts. Volunteers use the post to prepare food, collect donations, and organize land and water searches for the missing teen. The command post has become a symbol of community support and resilience.
Many volunteers have personal experiences that resonate with the pain of Samuel Bird's disappearance. Dominic Bear, a volunteer who has been at the command post for nearly three weeks, shared his story of running away as a teen and the relief his family felt when he returned. He was initially struck by Samuel's youth and was inspired to help. He emphasizes that, "As long as that fire is lit, we're going to be here,"
A Mother's Plea and Expanding Search Efforts
Alanna Joseph (Bird), Samuel's mother, has been tirelessly searching for her son since he went missing. She initially used Lime scooters to search downtown areas, hoping to find Samuel or someone who knew him. As the search progressed, volunteers joined, prompting the establishment of the command post to coordinate efforts.
The search has grown to include volunteers from across Canada, including Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. What began with a few individuals supporting the family has evolved into a daily effort involving over 100 people.
Police Investigation and Community Support
Police issued a missing person news release on July 11th, over a month after Samuel disappeared. According to police spokesperson Carolin Maran, investigators have interviewed numerous witnesses and reviewed CCTV footage. On September 18th, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) searched a residence related to the case, but have not conducted a specific ground search. The Edmonton Police have confirmed for APTN News that a search warrant was carried out at a west Edmonton residence last Thursday.
Volunteers Search for Hope and Healing
Volunteers are motivated by a desire to help and a sense of connection to the Bird family. Alden Boisis, a volunteer from Red Deer, joined the search after learning about it on social media and discovering he is related to the Bird family. He states, "This search is very important for me -- I can do something to bring him home,".
The approaching autumn, with its ground covered in leaves, presents new challenges to the search. The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations is advocating for the case to be designated as search and recovery, which would grant access to federal funds. Alanna Joseph continues to plead with Edmonton and surrounding area for the community to keep their eyes peeled for anything suspicious, even on private property, and report to the Edmonton Police.
Despite the challenges, volunteers remain committed to the search. They marked Samuel's 15th birthday on Sunday with a sign, balloons, and singing.
