Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations asks EPS to designate Samuel Bird case as Search and Recovery

August 22, 2025 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations offers our continued prayers to the family and friends of Samuel Bird. We are committed to supporting the family and community in every way possible as they conduct ongoing search and recovery efforts.

We acknowledge the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts for Samuel Bird conducted within Edmonton city limits and adjacent respective Nations. We deeply appreciate the dedication of responders, volunteers and community members who have been working tirelessly under difficult circumstances. Due to jurisdictional issues, many of those working to find Samuel have been doing so with personal resources. We have taken steps to address this that will bring in further support offered by regional and external partners.

Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais and Samuel’s family met with Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Interim Chief of Police Warren Driechel and leadership from Major Crimes Branch on August 19th. In person and in a letter to the Edmonton Police Commission, the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations has formally asked EPS to designate Samuel’s case as a Search and Recovery. This designation will enable Samuel’s family and Nation to access further resources and personnel to increase search efforts.

“This has been a time of deep pain and uncertainty for the family,” said Councillor Cameron Alexis, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, who offered support to the family of Samuel Bird. “We’ve felt the compassion of the community. What we need now is cooperation — across jurisdictions, across systems — so we can carry out this search with the care, urgency, and respect Samuel deserves. We’re grateful to everyone who continues to walk beside us.”

The Edmonton Police Service has assured us they have been focused on this case since Samuel Bird’s family reported him missing on June 6th. EPS has also noted social media has created challenges by generating false tips and narratives, tying up valuable investigative resources.

In response, we ask the public to support this investigation by providing any tips or information directly to the EPS at 780-423-4567, File # 250466067.

Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais and the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations are not taking interview requests on this matter at this time.

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Brian Golightly

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