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WARNING: This story references suicide. Help resources can be found at the bottom.
Anisabeth Kaiya Danis Waswa-Rae was determined to become a goalie when she was about six years old and later became the only girl on her hockey team after moving from North Caribou Lake First Nation to Thunder Bay, Ont.
Today, Kaiya — her everyday name — is being honoured as a hero for what she did off the ice: Registering as an organ donor before her death at age 18 on March 26.
Kaiya’s funeral is set for today in North Caribou Lake, also known as Weagamow or Round Lake. Her liver, both kidneys, heart, pancreas, lungs and vessels were donated. All except the vessels — which have been stored for future use — have already been transplanted in screened recipients.
“Her last act was her greatest; seven lives saved, a legacy as brave as every save she ever made,” said her mother, Stacey Rae.
Rae told CBC News that Kaiya died by suicide — she’d struggled with her mental health and dealt with bullying.
“Some kids can hide so much behind their smile,” Rae said. “If you met her, you would notice her big smile. She would just brighten up the room.”
A hero walk for a young hero
Kaiya’s family members aren’t the only ones who’ve recognized her desire to help others.
A special hero walk was held Saturday at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), where Rae and other loved ones in hockey jerseys lined the hallway as the teenager was taken in for the organ-removal procedure.
North Caribou Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree community about 320 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout in northwestern Ontario. It’s part of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a political-territorial organization that represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5.
It’s believed Kaiya is the youngest NAN member to have donated her organs. Her family hopes Kaiya has inspired others to consider becoming donors.
Among those at the hospital on Saturday was NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, who said he attended “to witness Kaiya’s final gift of life and love.”
“Our love and condolences to her parents, siblings and all those who loved her. May our Creator comfort you this night and in the days ahead,” Fiddler wrote on Facebook.
Tributes to Kaiya have been pouring in on social media. A crowdfunding campaign to support her family has raised about $8,000.
‘She still lives on’
Kaiya’s love of hockey began when a group from Toronto travelled to North Caribou Lake First Nation to teach children how to play hockey. Right away, she was intent on learning to become a netminder.
“She didn’t know how to skate,” said her mom. “She was very determined. What she wanted, she [would] get.”
(Thunder Bay Elks Hockey Association/Facebook)
The Thunder Bay Elks Hockey Association paid tribute to Kaiya in a Facebook post on Saturday.
“Kaiya played for several teams throughout her childhood, but the 2021-22 season stands out for us; we were fortunate to truly get to know her that year. As the goalie for our U15A Elks, Kaiya was instrumental in leading the team to a city championship to cap off the season,” the post said.
“To continue her passion for making saves, Kaiya made the selfless decision to be an organ donor. Her final gift will save seven lives — seven monumental saves to complete her legacy.
“While her life was far too short, those of us who crossed paths with her are the fortunate ones to have experienced her kindness and her generous heart.”
Kaiya graduated from Thunder Bay’s all-Indigenous high school, Dennis Franklin Cromarty, last spring. Recently, she’d earned her certification to become a heavy equipment operator and had plans to work alongside her father.
Rae said Kaiya knew a lot of people through school and sports, and always put the needs of others before her own.
Her mother recalled when Kaiya saw two teenagers wandering outside in the cold, and invited them inside to take a warm shower and get a change of clothes.
“My daughter used to say, ‘Everybody deserves a second chance.’ She just wanted to help them,” Rae said. “She was very bright.”
She said Kaiya expressed she wanted to become an organ donor after learning her late uncle and a friend of hers had done so.
About 35 per cent of eligible Ontarians are registered as organ donors, according to the Trillium Gift of Life Network. As of Dec. 31, more than 1,600 people in the province were waiting for an organ transplant.
As Kaiya’s family and community come to terms with her loss, Rae said she hopes her daughter is remembered for her kindness and compassion.
“She helped seven people,” said Rae. “She still lives on.”
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