Thousands of Australians are expected to pay their respects to Cassius Turvey and rally for justice at events across the nation.

Cassius, a 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, was allegedly bashed with a metal pole while walking home from school with friends on October 13.

He suffered serious head injuries and died in hospital 10 days later.

Jack Steven James Brearley, 21, has been charged with his murder and is due to face a Perth court on November 9.

Aboriginal leaders in Perth have condemned the “cowardly, racist act against an innocent child” and urged authorities to heed their concerns.

Rallies and vigils will be held on Wednesday in every capital city, as well as regional towns.

More than 40 events honouring Cassius are scheduled in coming days, including gatherings in the United States and New Zealand.

More than 1000 people mourned the teenager on Monday night at a candlelight vigil in Perth attended by Noongar elders and state and federal politicians.

Attendees were invited to take gum leaves or branches and add them to 15 smoking fire pits arranged in a circle, each representing a year of Cassius’s life.

Cassius’s uncle Mark Kickett told the vigil First Nations voices had to be heard.

“It is now time for us to look really deep into our own souls, and to have an understanding of what needs to take place if there indeed is going to be healing,” he said.

“It’s time for the voice of Aboriginal, Islander and First Nations people to stand up and be heard, and to be counted.”

Local federal MP Tania Lawrence, who paid an emotional tribute to Cassius in parliament last week, said a national dialogue was needed.

“Ready or not, we have to have that conversation,” she told AAP.

“I think there’s this undercurrent of racism that has held Australia for too long, and we can’t be defined by it.

“We have to be better than this, and at the moment, we’re not.”

Friends and family described Cassius as a “teddy bear” with an infectious smile who was always there for others.

His mother Mechelle Turvey told the vigil her son’s name, a nod to boxing great Muhammad Ali, representing him “to the tee”.

“So many people have said so many things about Cassius but my son is my greatest,” she said.

– AAP