Forty-nine days after it started as a spiritual journey from the Canadian northern Indigenous First Nation community of Attawapiskat, some 20 adults and youths arrived in Ottawa on Parliament Hill Monday (February 24). Some of them have walked the entire 1700 kilometres.
Concerned about broken treaties, land and water protection, and human rights issues the Omushkegowuk Walkers stopped at the Human Rights monument for a ceremony before continuing on to a rally at Parliament Hill.
One of the walkers Gordon Hookimaw said they’ve been overwhelmed by the support they’ve received. “I didn’t realize how important it was for other people across Canada, and the words I got really lifted my spirit more,” he said.
On their Facebook Page one of the organizers of the walk, Danny Metatawabin, explained the spiritual journey this way:
“We, the grassroots People, are walking to Ottawa from the traditional territories of the Omushkegowuk (People) to deliver a message to the leaders of both levels of Government and to our respective Chiefs that the time to honour our Treaties is now! The time to address and reconcile Aboriginal issues is now! The time to work together with the utmost respect on a Nation to Nation basis is now! We are and will continue to be here and we want our rightful place back within this country called Canada.
“As in the wisdom of our Elders that continue to remind us of where we should be, and in considering the future aspirations of all of our youth, we are seeking justice, equality and fairness as First Peoples of this country.”
More information:
CBC News – Omushkegowuk Walkers reach Ottawa, call for treaty awareness – here
PostMedia News – Walk meant to raise awareness of treaty issues – here
Idle No More press release – Indigenous journeyers complete 1700 km trek – here
Walkers Facebook Page – here
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