This week investigators with RCMP are gathering as many as 2000 DNA samples from males in Garden Hill First Nation in hopes of solving the homicide of 11-year-old Teresa Robinson.

Robinson’s remains were discovered on the remote Manitoba First Nation in May 2015. It was thought an animal had mauled Teresa before police declared her death a homicide

RCMP Sgt. Bert Paquet said the magnitude of the undertaking is unprecedented.

Investigators arrived in Garden Hill First Nation Sunday and Monday and are leaving Thursday.

Over the coming weeks RCMP plan to make as many as five trips to collect about 2000 samples from male volunteers between 15 and 66 years of age.

Paquet couldn’t confirm how samples have been gathered so far, but said the response has been positive.

“The response from the community has been great. We have a lot of males from that community approaching our officers providing samples,” said Paquet from RCMP Headquarters in Winnipeg.

It is not mandatory for the males to provide a sample. Males are only being asked to assist with the investigation.

RCMP say the date of their future trips has not been decided.

Paquet could not confirm whether the types of DNA samples males were providing included saliva, blood or hair samples.

When asked why the DNA samples were not gathered sooner, RCMP said other steps in the investigation had to be completed first.

“Once we’ve exhausted all other avenues of investigation, our officers start thinking outside the box, what can be done, what other steps can we take, this was one of the steps that was considered,” said Paquet.

RCMP said they are aware of individuals who have a come and gone from Garden Hill since Robinson's death.

“We are aware of individuals who have left the community, we are aware of individuals who have newly arrived in the community and we take that into consideration moving forward,” said Paquet.

RCMP said they can’t reveal specifics of the investigation to this point, but Paquet said it was a very unique case, and officers are “doing everything we absolutely can to bring closure to community and the family following this tragedy.”

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson called the DNA collection of 2000 boys and men an “unusual step”, but gives credit to RCMP for their creative approach to eliminate suspects.

"Could there have been another way, perhaps, and could there still be another way, perhaps, but the community is so desperate that we have to support what they want to see," said North Wilson outside RCMP ‘D’ Division Thursday following a meeting on the investigative techniques with officers.

She said Robinson's death has left families in Garden Hill on edge and anxious for answers.