THUNDER BAY -- The Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School community mourned the loss of one of their own Tuesday.
About 250 people attended a memorial service at the Edward Street high school for 20-year-old Daniel Levac of Sachigo Lake First Nation, who died after an incident in front of the SilverCity movie theatre on Oct. 3.
Levac, a student at DFC, was the ninth homicide victim of the year in the city.
Principal Jonathan Kakegamic said they held the service so staff and students could remember Levac and acknowledge his life.
“We’re a close-knit family,” said Kakegamic. “Today is important because we’re together mourning and grieving and we’re here to support the family.”
Levac’s family was in attendance at the service; a funeral service will be held in Sachigo Lake on Friday.
Kakegamic said Levac’s family is grieving and are thankful for the support they’ve received from the community.
“That helps, but it’s going to take time for them…it’s important to support each other in this time and that’s what’s happening today,” he said.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation crisis teams were dispatched to help students at the school on Monday to cope with the tragic news.
Kakegamic said he’s been impressed by his students in the wake of the loss of one of their classmates.
“They’re resilient. They’ve been helping. They’ve been respectful. I’m very proud of my students at DFC today,” he said.
He also acknowledged the staff of DFC, who are dealing the loss of the school’s seventh student.
“Everyone has a job to do and it gets done. We do it for the family so they have some comfort while they’re here,” said Kakegamic.
