Embrace Life walkers raise about $3,000 for social challenges

Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Embrace Life Walk-a-thon fundraiser was a success with about $3,000 raised to support social challenges, including suicide, in the communities.
“It went well — we had about 30 people and once we get all the pledges in, we’ll have maybe close to $3,000,” said Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic. “The funds will be used to have parental and youth self-esteem workshops to promote healthy living. The money will be used to have Embrace Life.”
The walkers left Boulevard Lake on the north side of Thunder Bay at 6 a.m. on June 22 and walked about 24 kilometres to the top of Mount McKay, located in Fort William First Nation to the south of Thunder Bay.
Sandy Lake’s Brian Rae joined the walk to help support the Embrace Life effort.
“I wanted to be involved because of the high number of youth suicides,” Rae said. “It took about an hour from Boulevard Lake to our first stop at Tim’s. We had our breakfast there.”
Syndyn Baxter, an Ontario Native Women’s Association board of director’s youth member, joined the walk to support all the youth she represents.
“It’s good — I’m starting to get really tired,” Baxter said outside Chapman’s gas bar in Fort William. “I set markers mentally so I can make it all the way.”
Baxter encouraged other youth to “hang in there.”
“There’s so much hope and potential for everyone,” Baxter said. “All the youth in Ontario and Canada are truly important and special and amazing and they should know that every single day they are here.”
Kakegamic said some of the walkers were faster than the others, noting some of them “ran up” Mount McKay to finish the walk.
“(It usually) takes six hours, but some of these ladies, they speed walk,” Kakegamic said. “You can’t keep up with them. Let them have it — we’ll just take our time.”
The walkers were served a barbeque lunch on top of Mount McKay after arriving around noon.
“It was a good turnout — the weather was beautiful,” Kakegamic said. “There was no sun and it was kind of breezy. It was just the perfect day to do it.”
NAN is currently planning a golf tournament on Aug. 20, a spaghetti supper and a car wash as fundraisers for the next Embrace Life conference, in early 2014.