Nibinamik holds memorial walk-a-thon

A 642-kilometre walk-a-thon began July 11 in memory of those who lost their lives in a Sept. 11, 2003 plane crash near Nibinamik First Nation.
“Nearly eight years after this tragedy, members of the community still look for closure to the accident that saw no survivors and took the lives of seven people from our community,” said Walter (Philip) Oskineegish, walk-a-thon organizer and the community’s band manager when the plane crash occurred.
The group of Nibinamik leaders and community members are walking from Pickle Lake to Thunder Bay, with a detour to Sioux Lookout.
The community wants to bring all the family members of those who were lost in the plane crash to attend the community’s annual 9/11 memorial service.
“The goal of the walk is to raise funds to not only help pay for travel costs, but for maintenance of the 14.5 kilometer road that was built to the crash site,” Oskineegish said. “This is very important so we can continue to heal as a community.”
Oskineegish expects several people from other northern Ontario communities to join in during the 14-day walk. He encourages any one interested in making a donation to contact the Nibinamik band office at (807) 593-2131.
“The community really admires the challenge that this group is taking on, and we wish them much luck along the way,” said Nibinamik Chief Roger Oskineegish. “Many of our community members continue to look for closure and this walk is very close to our hearts.”