INUVIK - Just after Mary Leigh Firth affixed the last photo of Burton Keevik to the wall of the community hall on Saturday afternoon, she turned around slowly, her head bowed slightly, wearing a soft smile.

The picture she displayed of her late friend for all to see portrayed a smiling 14-year-old boy. That's the way she remembers Keevik.

Tali Warrington, organizer of Saturday's celebration of the life of Burton Keevik, who drowned in the Mackenzie River in July, attended the event with her daughter Camarah Jade Bernhardt, nephew Landin Bernhardt, 1, and son Conner Bernhardt, 3. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"He was always happy," said the 16-year-old. "I miss his happiness the most. He was always really nice."

About 40 residents, mostly kids Keevik's own age, gathered at the venue to say a formal goodbye to their mischievous, good natured friend who drowned in the Mackenzie River last July.

Saturday's event, which marked three months since the tragic accident, was put on by the Youth Centre where Keevik spent time and was active as a volunteer. But instead of it being called a memorial, organizers labelled it a celebration of a boy who shared his positive energy freely.

"We grew up in Inuvik together," said Keevik's longtime friend Robert Cardinal. "We went to school together. He was a good friend. We were just great friends his whole life.

"It's so sad. He was so young."

Tali Warrington was one of several volunteers from the centre who organized the event, which included a meal, several tribute speeches and group visit to Keevik's gravesite.

She said it was important to everyone involved to celebrate the good Keevik brought to the world. She hoped this would be a way for many grieving youths to find some healing.

"He was really special to us," she said. "He'd always have my son with him. He was a great friend. This event is a way to let him rest in peace. This is our goodbye."

Copies of the poem Miss Me But Let Me Go were passed around to everyone.