Heather Latter
A group of walkers made their way back to Rainy River First Nations on Monday as they completed a week-long “Walk for Good Life” to raise funds and awareness for the Good Life for Young People—Oshki-Aa-yaa’aag Mino Bimaadiziiwin Foundation, an organization to assist youth in accessing arts and cultural programming.
The group, headed by the foundation’s founder and president Al Hunter, walked 50 miles a day while making their way through the heart of Treaty #3 territory.
“I wanted to do something that required action,” Hunter remarked. “The term people use is ‘walk the talk,’ so that’s why I decided to organize this walk and invite youth and other people to come along. . . .
“It was symbolic and representative of touching the heart of Treaty #3 going through these communities and raising awareness,” he said, explaining the rationale behind the decision to walk such a great distance.
Hunter was joined by a group of core walkers who included Jessica Desrosier, Larissa Desrosier, Ivory Tuesday, Elijah Indian, Tianna Copenace, Tim Archie, and Sandra Indian.
He noted some people took turns walking, resting while others walked. He certainly didn’t expected everyone to walk all day, every day.
The group, wearing their foundation T-shirts, was accompanied by a van driven by Katy Butterfield and her son, Braedon. They left Rainy River First Nations at 7 a.m. on July 20, making their first stop in Sabaskong, where they stayed overnight.
They also camped at Eagle Lake, where they were treated to dinner by the First Nation and enjoyed a visit with Elder Philip Gardner, who offered up some history and teachings of his community.
“Everywhere we stopped, the hospitality of people and the community was so great,” Hunter enthused. “And also people who just stopped alongside the road when they saw our sign.
“They asked us what we were doing and opened their wallets.”
He stressed the group was especially thankful to Ted and Lorna Brown of Timber Wolf Lodge on Highway 502, who opened up their campsite and showers to them.
The group made their way to Fort Frances on Sunday, camping at Pither’s Point for the night, and then completed their final leg of the journey Monday.
“The kids and adults who were on the walk walked rain or shine, whether they were in pain or feeling good,” Hunted stressed. “They laughed, they cried, they sang, and laughed some more.
“It was great. There was a real sense of family that was created.
“We spent a lot of time together and bonded. It felt really good,” he added.
Hunter noted while on the journey, the youth participants expressed what they wanted out of life and about the things they wanted to accomplish.
“There were amazing kids and adults on this walk,” he enthused. “It is an honour and a blessing to be a part of their circle and to have shared [the] experience.”
In addition to raising awareness for the foundation that has been in development for the past few years, the “Walk for Good Life” also helped to raise funds for the fourth-annual benefit concert slated for Friday, Aug. 7 at Assabaska Ojibway Heritage Park in Morson.
Youth workshops in music, video production, traditional arts and crafts, and empowerment creativity will run that afternoon from 1-5 p.m. while the concert itself goes from 7 p.m.-midnight.
Headlining the concert is Canadian country music artist Crystal Shawanda from Wikwemikong, Ont. (people may know her from “Crystal: Living the Dream,” a six-part series from CMT that documented her rise to fame in February, 2008).
Shawanda has released one album so far, and has toured in Canada and the United States with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley as a special guest on the Paisley Party 2009 tour.
“This year we’re also showcasing a lot of Treaty #3 talent and the young people,” Hunter noted.
For example, Angus Jourdain from Lac La Croix First Nation, whose single, “Warriors,” is up for an Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Award, will be performing.
Nylin White from Whitefish Bay and Cita Antoine from Rat Portage also will be taking the stage for the benefit concert.
The lineup also features Digging Roots, Marc Nadjiwan, Billy Joe Green, Louann Whitecrow, and Percy Tuesday.
“The concert is going to feature everything from rock to blues to country to classical music,” Hunter said, adding Jason Tuesday, a classic guitarist, and Abraham Hunter, a classical pianist, are going to perform together.
Hunter said they’ve had a good turnout at the benefit concert the past three years and believes this year’s will be the biggest and best yet.
In related news, the Good Life for Young People—Oshki-Aa-yaa’aag Mino Bimaadiziiwin Foundation is expected to have an official launch within the next nine-12 months after spending the last four years developing thanks to funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
“They gave us funding to develop a five-year business plan . . . and they’ve just been great,” Hunter remarked. “And our charitable status application is pending right now.
“We’re hoping to hear a good word very soon,” he added. “It would allow us to issue tax receipts to donors and contributors, and open up other doors as far as long-term support.”
He also indicated the foundation expects to announce a major fundraising endowment campaign within the next year.
Monetary contributions would be most welcome to the foundation at any branch of the RBC. Contact Mary Alice Smith (1-807-548-1470) or Nicole Cochrane (1-807-276-0110) for account info.
For more information about the foundation or the upcoming benefit concert, visit www.goodlifeforyoungpeople.com
