Teresa Robinson remembered at Victoria Day vigil at The Forks

The sun came out as about 175 people gathered Monday in Winnipeg at a vigil for Teresa Robinson, the 11-year-old girl whose body was found in Garden Hill First Nation a week ago Monday. 

RCMP are investigating Robinson's death and treating it as a homicide.

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Community members at first believed the girl was mauled to death by wild animals.

Elder Eliza Beardy spoke on behalf of the family at the ceremony.

"It has been the most difficult thing that this family has ever had to face, and the overwhelming support by surrounding communities and from all across the nation certainly is appreciated," Beardy said.

"[The family] would also ask all of the vigils [to] gather in prayer and not to protest, and to ensure that the loss of Teresa's life is not politicized."

Kendal Wood, 14, a young activist in Winnipeg, said holding a vigil was meant to give people a chance to show their respect.

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Wood said more than 400 people have joined a Facebook page supporting the event. 

While the teen has organized rallies to lobby for a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, Wood said the Monday event was focused on Teresa Robinson.

"I don't want it to involve anything like a protest or rally or anything so that's why I came up with a vigil so we can just make it about her and nothing else."

Balloons were released at the ceremony to celebrate what would've been Robinson's 12th birthday. 

The vigil took place at 5 p.m. CT at the Oodena Celebration Circle at The Forks in Winnipeg.