Community hosts 1st barbecue for Tamra Keepness since her mother died

Tamra Keepness was last seen sleeping in her room nearly two decades ago at the home where her family was living on Ottawa Street in Regina. 

She vanished without a trace on July 5, 2004.

Her disappearance led to the largest search-effort in Regina's history, with seemingly no stone left unturned. But what happened to Tamra remains a mystery.

Regina Treaty Status Indian Services hosted its annual barbecue for Tamra in collaboration with the Regina Police Service on Wednesday. The gathering is a way for the community to come together and honour Tamra, and also to let the family know they haven't forgotten the little girl.

This year's anniversary of Tamra's disappearance comes shortly after another traumatic loss for the girl's family. Tamra's mom Lorena Keepness passed away suddenly on May 24, 2023 in Regina.

She was only 49 at the time of her death.

Some of her children and family were in attendance at the barbecue, including Tamra's twin sister Tanis. They sat together to share a meal, despite just losing Lorena just over a month ago.

Lorena died never knowing what happened to Tamra, but she was always thankful people kept her memory alive and that they never stopped trying to find out what happened. 

Erica Beaudin, Chief of Cowessess First Nation, said she made a promise to Lorena that she would always support the family and never give up until they find Tamra.

She's been supportive of the family for years, and sometimes spoken on their behalf. 

Beaudin noted that Lorena experienced heartbreak when Tamra went missing, and then again two days later when her children were apprehended by Child and Welfare Services.

"There was very unfair bias by media, as well as the police and others...that she was somehow involved in Tamra going missing," Beaudin said. She said people assumed Lorena was a negligent mother "and that was held against her for the rest of her life."

Lorena's children Summer, Rayne, Tanis, Cole and Alicia were apprehended, but documents show there were efforts underway to return the children to their mother because of the close bond she shared with them. 

As her children got older, they made their way back to their mom. She adored her grandchildren Isabelle and Ezra. Lorena also had more children after Tamra went missing: Jacob, Jerah and Adam.