More than four dozen people braved wind and rain in downtown Edmonton on Monday to honour Samuel Bird, a 14-year-old whose case has renewed urgent calls for attention to missing and murdered Indigenous children across Alberta and Canada.
Samuel went missing on June 1, 2025, after leaving his west Edmonton home to visit a friend. His remains were discovered in a rural area outside the city on October 16, 2025—a discovery that came only after an intensive community search effort and the work of dedicated volunteers.
"Today marks one year that my son Samuel Bird went missing," his mother, Alanna Bird, told supporters gathered at the downtown memorial. "Throughout the whole year, I've now come to meet other moms and parents and grandparents that have people that are still missing their murdered Indigenous loved ones. There's a lot that doesn't make it into the media."
Samuel was a member of Paul First Nation. Edmonton police determined his death was criminal in nature, and Bryan Farrell, 38, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and interfering with a body in relation to Samuel's death.
A Walk for Unity and Justice
Marchers proceeded from Sir Winston Churchill Square to Dawson Park, chanting "No justice, no peace" as they called for systemic change and renewed focus on cases that often receive minimal public attention.
Alanna deliberately chose June 1 for the memorial—a date that coincides with International Children's Day—and invited families of other missing and murdered Indigenous people to participate, creating a powerful display of solidarity and shared grief.
"It's important to come together like this, because this is how it should be all the time," Alanna said, emphasizing that these cases demand ongoing community support and media coverage, not just annual remembrances.
The memorial gathering at Dawson Park later that evening allowed participants to share memories of Samuel and connect with other families navigating similar tragedies—a recognition that Indigenous youth in Alberta and across Canada continue to face disproportionate risks.
This story is based on reporting by CBC Edmonton. For more information on missing and murdered Indigenous people, contact your local police service or Indigenous community organizations in Alberta.