Volunteers keep a sacred fire in Edmonton’s Dawson Park as searches for missing teen Samuel Bird continue with growing national support.
Sacred Fire Anchors Search for Missing Indigenous Teen
A community’s response
In Edmonton’s Dawson Park, a volunteer-led command post has become the heart of the search for Samuel Bird, a 14-year-old from Paul First Nation who went missing in west Edmonton on June 1. At the centre burns a sacred fire, tended day and night, symbolizing both hope and resilience.
How the search began
Samuel’s mother, Alanna Bird, began the search alone, scouring downtown streets on a rented scooter, asking strangers if they had seen her son. Over time, word spread, and what began as a solitary mission evolved into an organized effort. The command post was established to track search areas, prepare meals for volunteers, and collect donations.
Why people join
For many volunteers, Samuel’s disappearance is deeply personal. Dominic Bear, who once ran away from home as a teen, said he was moved by Samuel’s youth and his own memories of being missing. Bear now helps lead the command post, ensuring the Bird family is not left searching alone.
Who is involved
Volunteers have arrived from across Canada — Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories — with daily participation surpassing 100 people. Many are connected through shared experiences of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, which drives their commitment to continue searching.
Where the search goes
From Edmonton’s river valley to the MacKinnon Ravine, search teams walk forested trails, scan riverbanks, and comb through parks. Signs of community support are visible at the Dawson Park post, where a “Happy Birthday” banner marked Samuel’s 15th birthday this month.
What authorities are doing
Edmonton police issued a missing person alert on July 11 and searched a related residence on Sept. 18. Investigators have conducted interviews and reviewed surveillance footage, but no ground search has been led by police. The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations is urging that the case be reclassified as a search and recovery to unlock federal support.
Holding on to hope
As autumn leaves blanket the search areas, challenges mount, but volunteers say they will remain until Samuel is found. “As long as that fire is lit, we’re going to be here,” said Bear. “When we find Samuel, we can put him to rest and give closure to his family.”
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