A vigil was held on Monday, May 18 at 5:00 p.m. to pray for the family, friends and community of Garden Hill First Nation after the death of Teresa Robinson.
The vigil was at Oodena Circle at The Forks where community members and friends offered songs of prayer and lit candles in memory of the girl.
“I think we just need to take a stand and show some solidarity. Just so that we recognize that we’re all people and we’re all equal,” said Birgit Detscher, who attended the vigil.
Children played a special role at the vigil. They brought gifts for Teresa, and helped to keep the candles lit.
The vigil itself was organized by a young teen.
“This is a little bit unreal to be watching. A child shouldn’t be organizing a vigil for a child,” said Vivian Ketchum, who attended the vigil.
“I’m watching him become a man as he organizes this,” she said.
Family members of Teresa Robinson were present and shared stories about the girl. They said she touched the community and always had a smile on her face.
The family also issued a statement on Monday, which was read at the vigil.
The family thanked people for their support, and asked people to keep praying for them and Garden Hill.
They asked that the death of Teresa not be politicized, and said they wanted her dignity and integrity to be preserved.
They also asked for privacy, and said all questions should go through Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief David Harper.
The 11-year-old child was found dead in the Garden Hill area, a fly-in community about 500 km northeast of Winnipeg.
Initially, there were reports of a possible animal mauling.
RCMP said that the girl's remains were disturbed only after her death.
RCMP have launched a homicide investigation into her death.
With files from CTV Winnipeg's Meghan Roberts
