Never Seen Again: Tamra Keepness, Part 2 (2022) 6 of 10 stars ⭐

 A Shameful Stain on Canada's History...

NEVER SEEN AGAIN - TAMRA KEEPNESS - WHISPERS ON THE WIND PART 2 (2022) 6 of 10 stars ⭐

BASIC PLOT: 

5 year old Tamra Keepness was snatched from her home in Regina, Saskatchewan, on July 5, 2004. Her family is aboriginal, and some believe this impacted the way the case was handled.

Several crazy theories emerged in the days following Tamra's disappearance. There were accusations Tamara's mother, Lorena, had sold her for drugs. It was also insinuated a domestic fight had occurred, and Tamra had been killed by accident. None of these theories had any evidence, but they seemed to be given credence by the police. A family's child is stolen, and they are subjected to the most horrible accusations imaginable. From the beginning, the police seemed to have tunnel vision, fixating on the family, instead of covering all their bases. They had a press conference, and said, "there was criminal interference, and a distinct possibility that the family or extended family could be involved."

The question they should have asked is, when did Tamra disappear? Tamra's mother, Lorena had been out drinking the night before. She waited until her six children were in bed, and went a block over to visit a friend. She did call to check on her children, and came in through an open window, because she'd forgotten her keys. Was Tamra taken in the night, from that same window? Tamra's grandmother arrived early the next morning, and left the front door unlocked. Tamra was known for being an adventurous young girl, who loved playing outside. Did someone take her that morning when she went out to play?

WHAT WENT RIGHT: 

*Police were asked by First Nation's elders, to be allowed to assist in the search. They were not asking to participate in the physical search, (although many did), but to have their spiritual beliefs and practices implemented to help find Tamra. Surprisingly, the police agreed.

WHAT WENT WRONG: 

*A massive search was instituted for Tamra, but for some reason, the police said she did not qualify for an Amber Alert. No reason was ever given for this decision.

*The police questioned 10-year-old Summer, Tamra's sister, without her parent's permission. It was damaging to her, and further traumatized the family.

*July 21, 2004, just 16 days after Tamra's disappearance, child protective services removed Lorena Keepness' five remaining children from her home. They were separated into 2 groups, and shuttled to a variety of foster homes for the rest of their childhoods. Lorena was lied to, and told her children would only be gone for the day. She would never have them in her care again. There is no justification for this shameful act. Why was Lorena not offered drug and alcohol counseling? Why was she not given support? The decision to take Lorena's children is reprehensible, given her history. Both Lorena and her mother had been forcibly removed from their families, and sent to residential schools. The trauma this inflicted, and the abuse Lorena suffered at the school, caused her to run away, and develop substance abuse issues. Keeping this family together, and providing the assistance they desperately needed, would have been a much better option than obliterating the family unit.

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: 

*I would recommend this, it is a worthwhile documentary on a difficult subject. It gives the family a voice they have been denied for many years.

CLOSING NOTES: 

*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.