'She was such a bright light': Former classmates, teachers at B.C. school honour life of Kelly Fraser

Former classmates, teachers, friends and community members in Merritt, B.C., gathered Friday evening for a candlelight vigil to honour the life of acclaimed Inuk musician Kelly Fraser.

Fraser died by suicide at the age of 26 on Christmas Eve in Winnipeg.

The singer-songwriterfrom Sanikiluaq, Nunavut had been a student in First Nations Studiesat the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) in the southern Interior city, where she had created many connections, said instructor Sue Sterling-Bur.

"She was very vibrant, very open, very welcoming and she made connections to every single person here on campus as soon as she arrived," said Sterling-Bur, who helped organize the vigil.

"So, it's a huge loss for not only for NVIT, but for the community of Merritt."

WATCH: Kelly Fraser tellsUnreserved's Rosanna Deerchild why singing in Inuktitut is important to her.

Kelly Fraser on why singing in Inuktitut is important to her

5 years ago

Duration 3:32

Inuk singer talks to Rosanna Deerchild

Fraser became a viral sensation in 2013 after posting anInuktitut cover of Rihanna'sDiamondson YouTube. She later released two albums, performed across Canada and won an Indspire award.

Her second contemporary pop and EDM stylealbum,Sedna with singing and rapping in both English and Inuktitut was nominated for a Juno Award in 2018.

Sterling-Bur said when Fraser first came to NVITno one knewshe was musically gifted, but they quickly found out when she started participating in hand-drumming sessions and performing at open-mic nights in the community.

"Itwas always a special time whenever she would perform for us," she told Jenifer Norwell, ofDaybreak Kamloops'.

"Even though she was making it to some of the bigger and brighter stages in Canada, she still remained connected to her grassroots and to everyday lifestyle."

Fraser was well known for promoting Inuit culture and language.

"Itwas so special just to see her grow and progress," said Sterling-Bur.

"The work she was doing was really groundbreaking in taking an English song and translating it tothe Inuit language, and singing, and writing and creating her own new music that could genuinely be played in a dance club."

'Devastating'

Sterling-Bur said many people in Merritt heard the news about Fraser's death over the holidays.

"It was devastating to hear of one of our alumni passing away," she said.

"It wastough through the holidays because we were trying to connect to students that knew her and some of her friends and faculty that all knew her."

As soon as classes resumed in January, she said they knew they needed to have a candlelight vigil to honour her spirit and what she shared with the community.

Hundreds of family, friends and fans attended a vigil for Fraser last weekend in Manitoba.

The Merritt vigil will be at 6 p.m. PT at Spirit Square downtown.

"She was such a bright light," said Sterling-Bur.

"Her life just lit up the hallways at NVIT, and lit up the streets, and it lit up everywhere that she went, and that's what made her so special."

Where to get help

If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them about it, says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.

• Nunavut KamatsiaqtutHelpLine 1-800-265-3333
• Embrace Life Council
• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or live chat counsellingonline
• Hope for WellnessHelp Line 1-855-242-3310
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service1-833-456-4566 or text45645 or chat atcrisisservicescanada.ca
• In French:Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
• Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program, Northern Region 1-800-464-8106