More than 100 people gathered at the Thunder Bay, Ont., marina Thursday night to honour 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias.
Mackenzie was a member of Neskantaga First Nation and was in the city to attend the Matawa Education and Care Centre, since their home community does not have a high school.
Friends, family, community members and First Nations leaders held a candlelight vigil by the dock, near where Mackenzie’s body was found early Monday. Mackenzie was last seen alive the morning of Dec. 13 at the waterfront. Police issued a missing persons report Saturday.
Mourners sang, drummed, danced and shared stories about Mackenzie before releasing floating lanterns into the skies above Lake Superior, and watched as the little fires drifted toward the stars.
Condolences and messages of support have been pouring in on social media since Mackenzie’s death, including from the city’s mayor, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Neskantaga’s Chief Chris Moonias, MPP Sol Mamakwa, and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario.
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of the vigil:
Community members gather around a sacred fire at the Thunder Bay, Ont., marina to honour 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias, whose body was found at the waterfront Monday. (Sarah Law/CBC)
More than 100 people attend a candelight vigil in Thunder Bay, Ont., for 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s deputy grand chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum is seen at a candelight vigil for 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias in Thunder Bay, Ont. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Photos of Mackenzie Moonias, a 14-year-old from Neskantaga First Nation whose body was found in Thunder Bay, Ont., Monday. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Mourners pay their respects to Mackenzie Moonias during a candlelight vigil at the Thunder Bay, Ont., marina. (Sarah Law/CBC)
A candlelight vigil in Thunder Bay, Ont., draws more than 100 people to the marina to honour 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation. (Sarah Law/CBC)
People hold tealight candles at the Thunder Bay, Ont., marina in honour of 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation. (Sarah Law/CBC)
A red handprint is pressed over the name Mackenzie on a poster honouring the 14-year-old youth from Neskantaga First Nation whose body was found in Thunder Bay, Ont. (Sarah Law/CBC)
A toy sloth and a toy unicorn are brought to the candlelight vigil for 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias in Thunder Bay, Ont. The youth from Neskantaga First Nation was a student at the Matawa Education and Care Centre. (Sarah Law/CBC)
A young person holds a sign to recognize 14-year-old Mackenzie Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation, whose body was found in Thunder Bay, Ont., Monday. (Sarah Law/CBC)
The Canadian Mental Health Association of Thunder Bay offers a 24-7 crisis line to people of all ages at 807-346-8282. Kids Help Phone, which operates round the clock, can be reached at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting CONNECT to 686868. If you are struggling right now, you can call 988.
