Family of Tanya Nepinak honours her 46th birthday outside of Brady Road Landfill

The family of Tanya Nepinak, who went missing 14 years ago, held a ceremony Friday on what would have been her 46th birthday, at the brady road landfill, where her remains are still believed to be.

“She’s 46 years old, and there’s finally some movement, that I had to come and see for myself,” said Sue caribou, Tanya Nepinak’s aunt. “I wanted to give her a special gift to bring her home, and let he know she’s not forgotten.  I know she’s watching me, and she had a lot of faith in me, and she knows I won’t give up on her.”

Caribou has been fighting for 14 years to search the landfill for her beloved niece.  In April, she was promised by premier Wab Kinew that he would do his best to find her.  Since then, Caribou says progress on a search has been made.  Though she couldn’t share specific details, she says she’s been in regular contact with Kinew.

“There is movement, and I’m continuing to meet with Wab and his staff, they’ve been a great help, they keep me updated which I’m grateful for because all these years, nobody listened, nobody helped me,” said Caribou.

For now, Caribou and her family continue to mourn, honouring Tanya’s birthday with song, drumming, and even some cupcakes, which caribou says the two used to use in food fights, before promptly, and diligently, cleaning up the mess.

“We would try always make sure we’re not dirtying the carpet, and make sure we were only getting it on each other, we were clean freaks,” said Caribou. “I have very good memories of her, and here pulling me down when I’d Walk by and say come and sit down, lets sing, breath, take some time. She always made people laugh, I have very good memories of her.”