SUDBURY—Bradley Shawanda was visiting his grandmother in the hospital when the conversation turned to the suicide epidemic in Attawapiskat an the challenges facing that community. From that conversation came an epiphany and the May 28 Attawapiskat Walk for Awareness in Sudbury.
“I was talking with my auntie and my grandmother about a month or so ago,” said Mr. Shawanda, “they said ‘why don’t you do a walk for them.’ I thought about it for a week.”
Mr. Shawanda is currently working on his high school diploma through a Rainbow District School Board program being delivered at Cambrian College in Sudbury. He spoke with his worker, Kathy Dokis, and the wheels were set in motion.
“I have a great team behind me,” said Mr. Shawanda, citing Ms. Dokis, Andrea Bennett and fellow student Katy Ominika. “We hope to accomplish bringing awareness to people, not just First Nations.” By reaching out to the community at large, the walkers hope to focus public attention on the plight of Attawapiskat, whose recent epidemic of suicides amongst youth have rocked not only their own community, but also the nation as a whole. “We are walking for them too.”
As a result of Mr. Shawanda and his team’s efforts, students and staff from the Rainbow District School Board and the Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services at Cambrian College joined together to host the Attawapiskat Walk for Awareness on Saturday, May 28.
The walk began at Sudbury Secondary School at 10 am and ended at Bell Park with a round dance at around noon. Everyone was welcomed to participate in support of the youth and community of Attawapiskat.
The theme of the walk was Youth for Youth (Y4Y) and 19 young people from Attawapiskat joined the walk as honoured guests. First Nation participants were encouraged to bring their drums and, to honour the connection to the land, women were encouraged to wear their long skirts.
“Bradley picked the day for the walk pretty much at random, but it just happened that students from Attawapiskat were visiting through the Horizons program,” said Ms. Bennett, “so they were already here.”
Mr. Shawanda and his team are also hoping to bring a practical support to the people and youth of Attawapiskat by raising funds. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can contact the Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation at www.dcfund.ca or by calling 866-508-6795. All proceeds will go directly to Attawapiskat First Nation.
