Annual Awareness Event for Tamra Keepness hosted by Regina Treaty/ Status Indian Services

By Michelle Lerat

Community meets to maintain public awareness of missing child Tamra Keepness

Jul 23, 2020 | 8:00 AM

Sixteen years after five-year-old Tamra Keepness disappeared without a trace from her Regina home, the search continues.

Regina Treaty/ Status Indian Services (RT/SIS) held its annual awareness event for Tamra Keepness at the Core Community Park on July 17.

Due to Covid-19 instead of a barbeque, a one-hour awareness event was held that adhered to social distance guidelines. Regina Police Service volunteered at the event where freezies and candy bags were handed out, aong with face masks and hand sanitizer.

Keepness was last seen in her home the evening of July 5, 2004 and was reported missing the next day.

16 years later her case remains open with the Regina Police Service.

“Someone knows what’s happened here,” says Regina Police Chief Evan Bray.

“Someone has the key to solving this crime. It doesn’t happen that someone just disappears.”

Significant time has gone into the investigation, with tips continuing to come in to the police service on a monthly basis. RPS receives an increase in tips following the annual July events, which keeps the conversation surrounding her disappearance going. Each tip is followed up and sometimes leads the investigation further, but it is still not known what happened to the girl, Bray said.

“Any time that we have one child missing or one person missing its always important to keep that awareness alive until that person comes home,” said Erica Beaudin, the executive director of RT/SIS.

Beaudin was part of the initial search for Keepness 16 years ago. The fact that Keepness was five years old when she went missing without a trace stands out because it is hard to imagine, said Beaudin.

“We will continue to raise awareness, we will continue to pray, we will continue to work with the families the communities until she is returned to us,” she said.

There is a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that can help solve Keepness’ case. Sometimes one small piece of information that may seem insignificant can ultimately be the missing piece to solving the investigation said Bray.

“We have to remain hopeful, optimistic and committed to solving this case,” said Bray. “The family needs that, the community needs that.

“We still hope that there is someone out there who has a piece of information that can ultimately lead us to finding out what happened to Tamra.”

Anyone with information regarding Tamra Keepness can call RPS 1-306-777-6500 or TIPS 1-800-222-8477.

Community meets to maintain public awareness of missing child Tamra Keepness

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