300 attend Winnipeg memorial service for Teresa Robinson, 11

About 300 people attended a memorial service in Winnipeg Monday night for Teresa Robinson, the 11-year-old girl from Garden Hill First Nation who was killed earlier this month.

Robinson's body was found May 11. She was last seen alive by family May 5, but wasn't reported as missing to local RCMP for several days.

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Based on the condition of her body when it was found, people on the First Nation at first believed Robinson, who died days before turning 12, was mauled to death by a wild animal. But RCMP later ruled her death a homicide. 

Media was invited to the Monday service, which was held downtown at Calvary Temple at 6 p.m.

"We're giving some of our energy and love to the family," Perry Bellegarde, Assembly of First Nations National Chief, said in a eulogy. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief David Harper played an emotionally charged musical tribute on guitar at the service.

Some of Robinson's family and friends made the trip from Garden Hill First Nation to Winnipeg for the service.

"Thank you ... for all your help and support and your prayers," Robinson's mom, dressed in black with a black veil, said at the service.

Garden Hill First Nation Chief Arnold Flett said the community is still struggling to make sense of what happened to the 11-year-old girl.

"It's been difficult for the First Nation and the family," he said. "People of 4,000-plus in the community have risen up." 

School on Garden Hill First Nation remains closed as the community continues search efforts in hopes of recovering missing parts of Robinson's body.

A vigil was held for Robinson in Winnipeg last week.

Wake services are to take place Tuesday and Wednesday in Garden Hill First Nation, followed by a funeral planned Thursday.