Winnipeg teen Cooper Nemeth is shown in a photo from the Facebook page Cooper Nemeth – In Memory.The Canadian Press
Hundreds of people attended an emotional smudging ceremony Monday night for a Winnipeg teen whose recent death is the focus of a homicide investigation.
The ceremony was organized by the Bear Clan patrol, which played a large role in last week's massive search for Cooper Nemeth.
The patrol is made up of volunteers who walk Winnipeg's streets at night to promote safety and provide support to the inner city.
Nemeth, who was 17, was found last weekend, about a week after he was reported missing following a hockey team party.
His father, Brent Nemeth, fought back tears as he told the crowd that the family's personal tragedy brought so many people together, and that the searchers' efforts will not be forgotten.
Nicholas Bell-Wright, who is 22, appeared in court Monday morning via video link on a charge of second-degree murder and will return to court March 4.
Nemeth's father read from a prepared statement while his wife, Gaylene, and the teen's nine-year-old sister stood close by with tears streaming down their faces.
"In Cooper's last day, he united a city," he told the gathering. "He became not only our son, brother, nephew, grandson and great-grandson, but yours as well."
The smudging ceremony took place at an indoor soccer pitch in the Gateway Recreation Centre, which was the hub of search efforts for the teen.
"We burn tobacco and the smoke carries our prayers to the creator and helps guide people on their journey," said Bear Clan Patrol project co-ordinator, James Favel.
Remains that police believe will be identified as Cooper Nemeth were discovered in a bin on private property. Investigators think he was killed somewhere else and his body was moved to that location, not far from where the party was held.
Police have said they do not believe there was any gang involvement, but they do believe the killing was drug-related.