A distressed and furious Alanna Bird was accompanied by her family, friends, and advocates in the search for her son, Samuel, who has been missing since June 1.
A group of searchers was in the rain within the river valley close to Victoria Park on Saturday, searching for any sign of the 14-year-old. The family, along with Indigenous leaders and politicians, voiced their frustration over the Edmonton Police Service's handling of the missing persons report submitted by the Bird family.
I won't even be able to kiss him now," said Alanna, who was accompanied by Samuel's father, Justin Bird, and the boy's paternal grandmother, Geri Potts. "I don't know how I'm going to locate him. Will he be in pieces?
The teenager was expected to return to his residence in West Edmonton on June 1. The family mentioned that he was dealing with mental health challenges and was heartbroken, having associated with a group of friends they did not trust. They noted that friends who previously contacted Samuel regularly ceased visiting or sending messages following his disappearance. The family has indicated that there are social media videos being shared that appear to depict Samuel being assaulted.
They are not expecting to find the boy alive.
"The motivation behind this search is that we have been waiting for a considerable amount of time for updates to arrive, in order to confirm whether Sam is with us or has moved on to the afterlife," stated Potts.
The family searched for "ancestral knowledge" in their quest for Samuel. Rituals were conducted.
We were instructed to begin searching in the water," stated Potts. "Today presents a mixed situation. While we're here, it's currently raining outside. The rain is washing the ground and getting us ready for this search. It might be a lengthy process before we locate him. It could take us a significant amount of time, but we won't be giving up.
Potts said she’s been out and about regularly, looking for Samuel or his friends, from the West Edmonton Mall to the river valley.
Alanna is still upset with the authorities.
Two days after he didn't return home, and he wasn't replying to messages, I contacted the police," she explained. "They sent someone over to check on things.
She mentioned that the police informed her that Samuel was probably "spending time with friends" and would return home at some point.
But the reality was, I saw him every day," said Alanna. "He always made sure I knew where he was. I don't know how much more I can convey. He knew I was always concerned about him. I didn't like him having any alcohol... And I sensed something was off during the first few days.
In a state of desperation, she visited a psychic, who instructed her to go to a particular location in the city. Alanna mentioned that upon arriving, she discovered an item belonging to Sam, though she did not specify what it was.
We ought to have taken some action immediately
There was anger regarding the way police handle reports of missing Indigenous people.
We needed immediate action," stated Coun. Cameron Alexis from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. "We should be examining the river, checking the riverbank, and all of this needs to be organized. For far too long, our Indigenous people have been the target, whether by gangs or other means. We've mentioned this before—our people are targeted.
Was there an AMBER alert? If not, what was the reason for not issuing an AMBER alert?" asked Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations. "Why did it take so long for Sam to be reported as missing?
Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse, the NDP representative for Edmonton-Rutherford, showed no restraint in expressing her frustration.
No one should have to wait 40 days for an AMBER alert or a search team for their 14-year-old son," she stated. "It's heartbreaking. Therefore, going forward, I want to express my gratitude to the family for their courage and for continuing to push forward to ensure that no other family has to endure such a long wait in searching for their loved one.
The Alberta government's website indicates that AMBER alerts are only released when all four of the following criteria are satisfied:
1. A minor or an adult who has demonstrated a mental or physical disability has been taken against their will.
2. The child or adult is at risk of significant injury or death.
3. There is sufficient detailed information to allow the public to recognize the: child or individual; abductor; method of transport
4. It is plausible that the person who was taken could be brought back, or the individual responsible could be caught.
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