In death, this 'brave' teen goalie from a First Nation in Ontario saved many lives by donating her organs

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.”

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