Many Aboriginal leaders and Internet users express their sympathy for the death of Kelsey Strang, who was hit by a car near Cochrane.
The girl was part of a group of residents of the Pikangikum Aboriginal community in northwestern Ontario, evacuated since last week due to the threat of a forest fire.
It breaks my heart , Dean Angellips of the Pikangikum Education Authority said. The high school broomball team will need support after losing their teammate.
https://www.facebook.com/dean.angellips/posts/10161987005940541Colleen Estes works with Living Hope Native Ministries in Pikangikum.
She is herself a refugee in Winnipeg because of the fire.
Our scattered community is overwhelmed by shock and grief , she exclaims on Facebook. Pray for our leader Amanda, exhausted from all these fights, for Deputy Chief Jonah and for the Band Council.
https://www.facebook.com/colleen.estes.12/posts/10161783771495363Devastating news from Cochrane, Ontario, this morning , wrote Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler. Our thoughts are with his family, Chief Amanda Sainnnawap and all members of the community.
https://www.facebook.com/alvin.fiddler.9/posts/2765773833496183
In an interview, Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox agrees.
I can not imagine how his immediate family and the whole community feel. I am without words , he explains.
Kiiwetinoong provincial deputy Sol Mamakwa asked his followers on Twitter to pray for members of the bereaved community.
Back to the tragedy
The OPP received a call around 2:30 last night, says Stephanie Bélec, OPP Media Relations Officer.
She confirms that a vehicle hit the teenager as she walked along the road.
Kelsey Strang died on the spot.
The Ontario Provincial Police is continuing the investigation to determine the circumstances of the accident.
Highway 11 reopened Wednesday morning.