A group of young people from the James Bay Cree community of Whapmagoostui, Que., is expected to arrive in Ottawa today, marking the end of their 1,600-kilometre trek to the nation's capital.
"It's just been a truly amazing experience. I'll tell you, words cannot describe the feeling that I'm feeling, that the group is feeling, that the walkers are feeling," said Lisa Commanda by phone Monday morning. She joined the group of walkers on Thursday when they reached the Kitigan Zibi Algonquin reserve in west Quebec.
"We're learning something from the young people," Commanda said.
Six youths and a guide left Whapmagoostui in January to snowshoe and walk to Ottawa in support of the Idle No More movement. They called the trek "The Journey of Nishiyuu," which means "The Journey of the People" in Cree.
The group now numbers about 400, according to volunteers, after other children and youth from Cree and Algonquin communities joined them along the way.
The journey continued Sunday afternoon as the group walked down Highway 105 southbound near Chelsea, Que., more than a three-hour walk from Ottawa.
Organizer says ending is bittersweet
David Kawapit, 18, says the walk has helped him and others deal with personal struggles, including depression and suicidal thoughts. (CBC) David Kawapit, 18, is one of the original seven walkers who set out from Whapmagoostui.
"It feels really good, but at the same time I'm really sad that it's ending," he said on Sunday as the group reached Chelsea. "Because a lot of us shared a lot good times here, sad times, but we all stuck together."
Others on the walk have told Kawapit it's helping them deal with personal struggles, Kawapit said, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Kawapit struggles with the same.
"It feels really good that a lot of people are paying attention to what's going on, and that a lot of these guys that are walking with us are helping themselves on this journey.
"But this journey's really shown me a lot, how much I can help people. And it's really given me a better understanding of life. I've made a lot of friends here, so there's no way I'm going to leave them."
Chelsea provides shelter
Commanda said Chelsea offered the walkers a warm place to sleep in the community arena, and provided dinner and breakfast.
Just before 9 a.m. Monday, the group left Chelsea.
They're expected to head to Victoria Island, where a welcome ceremony has been scheduled between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The group will then complete their walk to Parliament Hill.
When "The Journey of Nishiyuu" arrived at Kitigan Zibi last week, 22 of the walkers sought medical attention at the community's clinic for foot injuries.
Three members of the group were also sent to hospital in nearby Maniwaki, Que., for further treatment.
The group has received warm welcomes in the communities where its members have rested. Its Facebook group has more than 32,700 members.
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