Young Innu Journey for Healing and Cultural Awareness

English

Recherche »

In 2011, Michel "Giant" walked to Natuashish, Labrador, NL, Canada from his home in Sheshatshiu, Labrador, NL, Canada to raise awareness and money to assist with fighting diabetes, a disease that affect many of the Innu people. Following his walk he donated $26, 00 to the Kidney Dialysis Unit in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, Canada. This Kidney Dialysis Unit is used by aboriginal people to enable them to stay close to home and the family supports that they have in the area.

This year Tony Penashue Sr. will be the spokesperson for such because of his interest in youth and their well being. In the past, Tony taught traditional skills to the youth and he realizes the importance of practicing cultural traditions. Like his Ancestors who have crisscrossed Nitassinan, the Innu homeland land, he feels that young people should know and experience Innu cultural events that will give them grounding in healthy living. Along with Dr. Elizabeth Penashue who does an annual trip into the country he hopes to inspire young Innu people to walk and venture far from their homes on snowshoes?

This year the youth will walk 1000 km through Labrador and Quebec "Nitassinan" to Sept-Iles, Quebec (Uashat) by way of St. Augustine (Pakua Shipu). This will provide them with the opportunity to learn traditional skills and how to take care of themselves in a way that promotes healthy living. It is expected that this trip will take around twelve (12) weeks to complete.

Giant and ten (10) youth supports started their walk a couple of weeks ago and they are expected expected to arrive in Churchill Falls, NL, Canada today, October 31, 2012.

People and companies are being asked to donate to this walk to raise funds for Diabetes and other worthy causes such as to assist Harry Dyke, Sheshatshiu, NL, Canada, a young man in his 20s, who was badly burnt in a house fire a couple of years ago and is still receiving treatments.

Everyone's help is needed to bring awareness about healthy living and provide funding to fight diabetes and other dreaded diseases and occurrences that affect the people of Labrador.

With your support we can bring about change and start the healing process.