Organizers of a “unity walk” held here on Good Friday believe the event certainly took the first step on the path to overcoming racism locally.
Plenty of aboriginal and non-aboriginal people participated in “Biimosetaa Walking Together to Overcome Racism,” as well as at the celebration that followed at the Nanicost gymnasium.
“We were very pleased with the turnout and not just the number, but the quality,” said Dorothy Friesen, a member of the Right Relations Circle of Rainy River District—the group which initiated the unity walk.
“Babes in arms, children in strollers, young people walking, parents, and older people joined together,” she remarked.
“And also the presence of political leaders,” Friesen added. “There were four chiefs there from different reserves. [Ontario NDP leader] Howard Hampton was there and [local MP Ken] Boshcoff’s office sent two representatives.
“And there was a good representation from the United Church. I think it was a good mix.”
Friesen stressed the walk was just the beginning to overcome racism locally.
“I think that it got people on the street together and there was some interaction—probably more interaction at the celebration when you had a little more time to sit across the table from each other,” she noted.
“You know, it’s kind of like dating,” she continued. “When you are on your first date, you’re just feeling your way.
“Obviously, a relationship has ups and downs and challenges, and you need to learn as you go. But I think this was a way of setting the tone with the promise that this is only the first thing and we have a lot of other work to do.”
The idea for the unity walk stemmed from a meeting of the Right Relations Circle following an incident surrounding an Internet-posted video involving six female students from Fort Frances High School.
The roughly two-minute long video depicted the non-native students dancing to the sounds of a pow-wow while acting drunk and holding liquor bottles.
Their actions upset many people.
“From everyone, whether they were First Nation or not, it seemed a couple of things were agreed upon—that we don’t know each other very well, we don’t have that much to do with each other, and we don’t know the history very well,” Friesen said of the meeting.
That was the spark which began the planning for the walk, but Friesen also noted they realized the federal government through the Multicultural Heritage has mandated this a long time ago, specifically suggesting organizing a walk down the main street.
“So it kind of flowed together,” she explained, noting last Friday was the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as well as Good Friday and the first day of spring—a time for hope a renewal.
“This is not a finger-pointing exercise, but rather a way to put our bodies on the line to demonstrate our commitment to do our part to build a healthy and safe community for all people,” Friesen stressed.
To symbolize that, a pin of black, red, white, and yellow ribbon was available for each participant to wear.
The walk began at the United Native Friendship Centre on Portage Avenue, with participants—some carrying signs—then walking along Scott Street before stopping in front of the Northwestern Health Unit’s office.
There, Janice Boneham of Knox United Church here offered a presentation.
“We stop at this crossroads to consider the past, present, and future,” she said, speaking into a megaphone for all the hear. “Our Member of Parliament’s office is across the street.
“Today for us on this walk, this office represents all levels of government, not just the federal one.”
She referred to the courthouse tower in the distance, which represents the judicial system.
“We say with sorrow and anger that decisions of governments and courts have often perpetuated, not alleviated, racial discrimination,” she told the crowd, recalling that Treaty #3 was signed in 1873 on behalf of future generations.
“Therefore, we are all treaty people who have rights, privileges, obligations, and duties,” she stressed. “As such, we demand that all governments and courts act for the good of all citizens of every race and colour, and work towards creating a society where everyone has equal opportunities for proper housing and schooling, health care and nutrition, employment, and justice.”
Boneham acknowledged the four churches that were seen in the distance—Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and the United Church of Canada—had partnered with the Canadian government to run residential schools.
“We remember and lament the great harm done to these precious children and acknowledge the racist legacy of suffering that lasts to this day as a result of residential schools,” she indicated.
She also spoke about the businesses and industries which they passed on the walk. She explained they represent the economy of the area.
Boneham said we must acknowledge the destruction of the sustainable economy of aboriginal people which existed here and its replacement with a global, corporate-controlled economy in which racial discrimination often has created unequal job opportunities.
“This is our past and it is ugly,” she conceded. “We are easily discouraged by all the institutions which are part of the fabric of systemic racial discrimination. They are so powerful.
“Yet today we see signs of hope.”
Boneham referred to the blue-and-white flag of the Métis Association, which can be seen from that location, and said we know banding together in a common cause can make things better.
“The other sign of hope is the group here today. People gathering to say that it’s important to work in partnership to end racism,” Boneham said, noting we will not live bound by the past.
“We can continue what has begun here today, to transform our hearts and minds, to set aside old and destructive patterns of behaviour, and to learn to walk together with respect as equals—slowly, tentatively, painfully at times, with trips and stumbles, potholes, and icy patches—but with growing confidence and mutual reliance,” she added.
Concluding her speech, Boneham invited people to walk the rest of the way with someone they don’t know so they can take a tiny step forward in getting to know and respect one another.
The next second stop on the unity walk was in front of the Rainy River District School Board office.
Gary Allan, the native representative on the school board, read a prepared statement from the board which expressed the importance of celebrating diversity, although there is still more work to be done.
Elder Willie Wilson, from Rainy River First Nations, also offered a presentation outside the board office, speaking about inclusive education.
He explained he’s a Grade 7 dropout and a product of the boarding school system where he was denied his culture and language.
“Let me take you back to 1972,” he said, noting that year he was chief and recommended to the local board of education. And he saw many forms of racism.
“How many times was I called to schools, businesses, and service organizations to deal with discrimination or outright racism?” he remarked.
“Racism was like water on a duck’s back,” he added. “But I was fortunate I was from Rainy River First Nations, which is an aggressive community and we overcame a lot of diversities.”
But still there weren’t many opportunities for aboriginal people. Wilson explained there was a high rate of unemployment.
“The bank wouldn’t lend you money unless you had as much or more in money or securities,” he recalled. “And the government wouldn’t assist unless pressured by the community.”
Wilson explained what all this has to do with Friday’s unity walk.
“If it weren’t for the video of the young girls, would we be here?” he wondered. “Unfortunately, I’m glad it happened. It is a wake-up call. . . .
“Whether the young girls knew what they were doing or not, they are going through a lesson which may prepare them to be stronger and more understanding.”
Wilson also said how proud he was to hear a healing circle was held with the young girls in attendance.
“Do we then continue to dwell on the incident or ask ourselves what we can do to better understand and change the systems that allows disparities?” he said, adding he believes the healing circle made it possible to move ahead.
“These young people have a living experience in which we can all learn from and change the things to better understand and appreciate our well-being,” Wilson stressed.
He referred to 1989 when the Muskie boys’ hockey team earned all-Ontario gold in their home arena. He said it was a good year to be an aboriginal person as the school and fans were proud to have aboriginal players on the team.
“Let’s bring back 1989 and not dwell on 2008, the year of the video,” he remarked. “Let’s all say and remember 2008 was the year we started working together.”
Friesen noted the speakers’ presentations really captured the point of the unity walk.
She also said Al Hunter addressed those at the celebration afterwards, speaking about where we go from here and the prophecy that there is a new people coming who will be doing right together.
The next step the Right Relations Circle is planning to take involves creating a poster to be put up in businesses, churches, and other public places.
“It would indicate that it is a discrimination-free zone—this is a safe place for people to come and that people will be treated respectfully,” Friesen said.
They haven’t actually discussed how to put the poster together, but it’s something they’d like to put into practice to continue on the path to overcoming racism locally.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
