Journey of New Beginnings reaches Sioux Lookout

The 10 youth walkers from Sachigo Lake reached Sioux Lookout on April 16, 11 days after they embarked on their 1,000-kilometre walk to Thunder Bay.
The walk, called the Journey of New Beginnings, is aimed at fundraising for the recently announced Dennis Franklin Cromarty Living Centre, which is scheduled to be open by the 2015-16 school year.
Among the walkers is Devon Thunder, who first attended DFC when he was 15. The 19-year-old knows the temptations and challenges students face when they leave their community for the city.
“It was kind of messed because I was drinking lots,” he said of his time in Thunder Bay. “I got kicked out of school and messed all that up.”
Thunder never completed high school, and he wonders if his outcome would have been different had there been a central residence for all DFC students during his time at the school.
“I thought a lot about that,” he said. “Maybe I wouldn’t have drunk as much.”
But Thunder hopes that by taking part in the journey and helping to fundraising for the new DFC living centre, he can give back to future generations.
“I have a few kids of my own. Maybe in the future they can go,” he said.
A potential DFC student and resident at the Dennis Franklin Cromarty Living Centre is eight-year-old Karma Barkman.
The Grade 3 student joined the walk because she knows some youth who attended DFC and wanted to help fundraise for the living centre.
Barkman said the walk was challenging for her, as it was difficult to keep up with the other walkers.
“I don’t know, because I’m small,” she said with a giggle when asked why.
But she said she was able to keep warm during the winter road portion of the walk, which ended on April 8 when the Journey of New Beginnings reached Pickle Lake.
Barkman said she was “happy” to have reached Sioux Lookout and her favourite part has been “how far we walked.”
The walkers were greeted with a welcoming ceremony at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre on April 15, where prayers and drum songs were performed for the youth followed by a feast.
National Chief Shawn Atleo was scheduled to be in attendance for the ceremony, but poor weather conditions resulted in his travel cancellation.
In a media release sent out after his flight cancellation, Atleo offered his praise for the youth.
“This is what change is about – youth leading the way. At the same time, they must be reassured that they are not alone,” Atleo said. “We stand with these leaders and press for greater attention and greater support.”
Thunder said although the youth knew each other prior to the walk, the journey has allowed them to bond.
“Oh yeah, big time. Everyone’s talking to each other now,” he said. “Adding each other to Facebook and all that.”
Although the walk is aimed at fundraising, Thunder said he does not know how much is raised so far. He does not bother to ask.
“Our group is not really worried about the money,” he said. “We’re just walking. We’re not even worried about how much we walk a day.”
As the walkers continue on with the next leg of their journey to Thunder Bay, Thunder hopes that more will join them.
“I’d like that: more people to get involved,” he said.
For Barkman, the funnest part of the walk is “all the goofing around.”
“I’m just having fun walking,” she said.
The other walkers are former DFC students Randell Barkman, Lazlo Kaminawash, Kevin Smith, William Ombash, Charmaine Barkman, and Genevieve Beardy; and elementary school students Keyra Barkman and Janessa Barkman.
The walkers expect to reach Thunder Bay on April 22.
Donations can be made the following ways:
CIBC account #00387-38-21110
P.0. Box 189, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A3
Or: Visa Link Card 4537 4600 1066 2997
Or: Write a cheque to Sachigo Lake First Nation
Journey of New Beginnings DFC Living Center/Youth Center
c/o Chief Titus Tait