SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The mother of a 13-year-old girl who police say died after taking an unknown substance said she wasn't aware her daughter was experimenting with drugs.

Savannah Mackenzie, 13, died last Thursday. Her cause of death has not been determined but RCMP believe she consumed some sort of drug. - photo courtesy of Angela James

"When she's out the door I don't know who she hangs out with," said Nora Mackenzie, Savannah Mackenzie's mother. Savannah died in an Edmonton hospital on Feb. 25. "I don't know anything about drugs, maybe she just wanted to get into a crowd."

She said she didn't notice any changes in her daughter's behaviour or any other clues in the weeks before her death to explain the tragedy.

RCMP were called to the Mackenzies' home at around 3:15 a.m. when Savannah was found unresponsive, according to police.

She was taken to the Stanton Territorial Hospital and then medevaced to Edmonton.

Police have not yet identified the drugs they believe Savannah consumed and her mother says she doesn't know how Savannah would have obtained them.

She described her daughter as happy and pleasant.

At Tuesday night's Yellowknife District No. 1 school board meeting trustee Reanna Erasmus, who knew Savannah, said the sad reality is aboriginal children tend to use drugs at an earlier age than non-aboriginal children. She blamed poverty, poor education and nutrition.

"One in four aboriginal children live in poverty," said Erasmus as tears filed down her face.

"Schools alone cannot end the legacy of poverty."

Erasmus said more needs to be done to ensure aboriginal children don't fall through the cracks.

Mackenzie has attended K'àlemì Dene School in Ndilo since the age of four.

Principal Angela James said the school is providing any support needed for students and family members. She said Savannah will be sorely missed. People have been posting condolence messages on Savannah's Facebook page all week.

"She was such a pleasant, cheerful and happy young student," said James. "She loved to draw."

James recalled one Valentine's Day when Savannah left her a hand-drawn heart. Savannah continued to leave the principal drawings even as she got older.

"She was a lovely girl and we're sad with her passing."

A reception was held for Savannah at the Ndilo gym on Monday.

Kay Lewis, CEO of Stanton Territorial Hospital, said on average less than 10 teenagers per year come into the hospital suffering from drug-related illnesses.

When asked if drug use among teens is a problem Lewis said, "We haven't seen a spike with teens experimenting with over-the-counter-medications coming into the hospital." When asked what drugs Savannah consumed Lewis said she couldn't discuss the case.

Savannah's mother, meanwhile, said she hasn't received any information from the RCMP or the hospital as to what caused her death.

"They haven't contacted me," said Mackenzie.