Above: Walkers from Attawapiskat, including Chief Theresa Spence, are headed to Ottawa to send a message to both levels of senior government.
Reclaiming Our Steps Past, Present & Future
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.
KIRKLAND LAKE – A group from Attawapiskat First Nation walked through Kenogami on Saturday as they make their way to Ottawa.
Dan Metatawabin, spokesman for the walkers said, the walk is an attempt to send a message to both the federal and provincial governments that it is time to honour treaty rights and it is time to start a dialogue.
The group is 11 walkers and two guides left Attawapiskat at 8:20 a.m. Jan 4, and the goal is to arrive in Ottawa the last week of February. They walk about 30 kilometres a day and usually stay with host First Nations along their journey.
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who gained notoriety for a hunger strike she staged in Ottawa, is one of the walkers headed to Ottawa.
Metawabin said they have been fortunate to receive a lot of support from host communities and they usually spend a few days in the host community. While in the Kirkland Lake area they are being hosted by Matachawan and Beaverhouse First Nations.
Their next stop will be in Temagami where they will be hosted by Bear Island First Nation and then North Bay where Nipissing First Nation will host them.
Metatawabin noted that they have a Facebook page, called Reclaim our Steps, past present and future. He updates this on a regular basis as the group continues its walk to Ottawa.