A Manitoba family is taking matters into their own hands in the search for Jennifer Catcheway.
On Thursday, family and friends began excavating a dump on the Dakota Tipi First Nation.
"It's already getting cold," said Jennifer's older sister, Tamara Sanderson. "We have to try and do what we can. That's what really brought me here today"
Jennifer Catcheway was supposed to join her family for her 18th birthday party on June 19, 2008.
She never arrived, and hasn't been seen since.
Her family has never stopped searching for her and said that's why they're digging at the landfill.
Recently, the family received a tip Jennifer may have come to a party near this location and never made it out.
With a donated backhoe, family and friends dug deep and carefully sifted through piles of debris.
Among those helping is Lori McFarland, whose daughter Amber went missing on Oct.18, 2008.
"I'm proud of them,” said McFarland. “They are just a fantastic family and they are determined."
The searchers are hoping against hope this will finally be the break they need.
"Who wants to find their child in a garbage dump? Nobody wants that," said Jennifer's mother, Bernice Catcheway. "But on the other hand, I’ll take her. I'll take her wherever she is."
RCMP said it supports any initiative that could help move the case forward.
Officers said the Catcheway case is an active investigation.
