Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

EVERY CHILD MATTERS

Warriors Walk for Healing Nations reaches Tk’emlups te Secwepemc

Aug 9, 2021 | 5:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — Today (Aug. 9) was the culmination of more than six weeks of hard walking.

The Warrior Walk for Healing Nations, which started in Yukon on June 26, arrived at Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Monday afternoon.

The group set out after the confirmation of the 215 remains at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The goal of the walk was to keep the conversation around the untold deaths around Residential Schools going while showing support on their journey.

They started around 9 a.m. Monday morning – a group of orange-shirted walkers, on the final leg of their 45-day journey. A journey which began more than 2,000 kilometres away, in the Yukon.

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“I drove this lots,” James Henyu told CFJC Today. “I never thought in my life I’d be walking it. Where you didn’t want to slow down, now you have to walk. It’s been painful, some days.”

The group left the Yukon back on June 26. However, the journey began when Tk’emlups te Secwepemc announced the remains of 215 children had been discovered on the former residential school grounds.

“Every step that we took we remembered all the babies that are buried at residential schools,” Lorraine Netro said. “And all those who are going to be found.”

Lorraine Netro walked every step of the way from her home in Old Crow – the northernmost community represented – all the way to the Tk’emlups Powwow Arbour, finishing the walk surrounded by her grandchildren.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

“My heart is happy, standing here with my grandchildren so that we give hope to our future generations of all of our people.,” Netro said.

As the walkers entered the Arbour, drummers and dancers from all the nations represented began celebrating. A spontaneous celebration of a journey now finished.

“It’s hard to describe,” Henyu said. “It’s so wonderful, so moving, so powerful. I don’t think anyone of us was expecting this.”

People from many nations joined the walk, including many from across Secwepemcul’ecw. Acting Kukpi7 Jeanette Jules was in awe of the walkers’ effort.

“The support we’ve received from everyone – across the country, internationally – but for them to walk all this way, it just means so much to us,” Jules said.

With more First Nations starting to look for remains on residential school grounds, the expectation is the total will continue to rise.

The hope is that this walk, and other events, will continue to raise awareness, and keep that conversation at the forefront of people’s minds.

“That was just the beginning,” BC AFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee said. “Now we need movement on finding more children out there at different residential schools. I really appreciate the raising of awareness.”