Last Friday the community of Xeni Gwet'in (Nemiah Valley) gathered to bury one of its own young men.
Lane Setah, 21, died on Dec. 27 while ice fishing with a group of friends on a nearby lake, said Xeni Gwet'in Chief Roger William.
"It's a big loss. He was very young."
Describing Lane as six and a half feet tall, very gentle and cultural, William said he spent lots of time with his grandparents camping, hunting and fishing.
"He participated with elders and youth on cultural gatherings and trips into the mountains and he was a big part of our youth wagon trip every year. He drove wagons, rode horses and helped Roy and Gwen Mulvahill with their team horses — putting the harnesses on and taking them off, watering and feeding them. Wherever you were, he asked how you were doing and helped out. He didn't like to see people trying to do things on their own."
William said it is a "tough" loss for the family and the whole community. Lane played hockey and was known for that as well.
"Lots of young people have been impacted," he added. "A young man from Sugar Cane who has been on our wagon trips has been out here helping prepare for the funeral."
Lane graduated from high school in Williams Lake in 2014 and had been attending Thompson Rivers University since then.
When his family held a meeting and invited community leaders to be involved in planning the funeral, lots of people came out to show their support, William said.
A service was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Williams Lake on Jan. 3 and the church was pretty packed, with people coming from many different communities, he added.
For Friday's service at Xeni Gwet'in, the Mulvahills were bringing their wagon and horses, and there were going to be drums, guitars and songs.
"Lane liked music and drumming, he played Lahal, and learned a lot of our Tsilhqot'in songs," William said. "The priest will be here and there will be traditional prayers. He was quite a special boy."