Seven men, including a guide, left the Cree community of Whapmagoostui, Que., on Jan. 16, and walked nearly 1,600 kilometres from Hudson Bay to Parliament Hill, where they were greeted by throngs of enthusiastic supporters, some of whom had joined the walk.
To see a map of the walkers route, click HERE.
The Portage Bridge was completely closed to vehicle traffic just before noon as the marchers made their way from Gatineau to Victoria Island.
Many carried walking sticks and wore off-white hooded jackets as they gathered around a fire pit to give thanks to the creator, Mother Earth and the Algonquins who welcomed them onto their traditional territory.
They later arrived on Parliament Hill, where native leaders and politicians alike commended the original seven walkers for their perseverance.
“Your journey has shown us strength, it has shown that the aboriginal youth of this country can use their energies in a positive way,” said Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees.
The walkers, whose Journey of the Nishiyuu Facebook page has more than 33,000 members, have inspired Canadians from “coast to coast to coast,” he said.
“You have accomplished much more than you thought when you began your walk.”
Coon Come highlighted many of the challenges facing aboriginals today, from unacceptable living conditions to constant threats to their lands, culture and heritage.
But social harmony with the rest of Canada is possible, he urged.
“There is a choice to be made in this country: We can now continue to follow a path of exclusion which will only lead to further conflict and social turmoil, or we can embark on a path of inclusion in which aboriginal rights and aboriginal cultures are embraced as a unique part of the fabric of this country.”
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo turned and spoke in Cree to the walkers gathered on the steps below the Peace Tower before addressing the crowd.
“You’ve etched your names in the history of this country,” he told them.
“Canada has what they regard as a great group of artists they call the Group of Seven. Today, the indigenous nations have their Group of Seven and they’ve lifted us all up.”
The journey wasn’t easy, Atleo said. The original seven braved temperatures as low as -50 C, walked through slush up to their ankles, and often wanted to give up and go home.
But they pressed on in order to deliver their message of unity, he said.
He also gestured to an eagle, seen soaring above the crowd during the afternoon.
Flanked by Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair and several of his fellow NDP MPs, Romeo Saganash said the walkers, who come from his northern Quebec riding, have given him a new raison d’être.
“Your message of hope, of strength, of unity, your extended hand of reconciliation, that’s what I see today and that’s what I’m going to bring back into that House for the rest of the time I’ll be here,” he said.
Green party Leader Elizabeth May, who was also on hand as the walkers arrived, called their trek “inspiring.”
“I hope the spirit of this is reciprocated by the people who can make a difference in First Nations lives and honour our treaties,” she said.
May criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper — who opted instead to be in Toronto for the arrival of two giant pandas from China — saying he ignored the plight of Canada’s aboriginal population.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt agreed to speak with some of the young people who completed the trek, vowing to hear their concerns and tell them what the government is doing on behalf of First Nations.
“I’m going to be listening,” Valcourt said. “This is about informing myself about their concerns.”
Just as the ranks of walkers swelled throughout the nine-week journey, so too did the size of Monday’s crowd.
Many were overcome with emotion as walkers, one-by-one, spoke about their own reasons for participating in the journey.
Some did it for people they had lost or struggles they had overcome; others walked for loved ones such as grandparents, parents, siblings and children.
“I am so humbled to see everyone here,” said Johnny Abraham, one of the original seven walkers, who said he completed the walk for his son. “Not only my son,” he added, “but the future generations.”
Another of the original seven walkers, David Kawapit, said in Cree that he was humbled by the size and enthusiasm of the crowd.
“There’s no words to describe how I feel, the tremendous pride that I feel, the happiness, but also the emotion I can’t describe,” he said.
“This is not the end, this will continue. But it started with a walk,” the 18-year-old said.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Matthew Pearson
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