Walk to promote Youth Mental Health arrives in Kenora July 26

July 18, 2018

(Media Release provided by Leanne Fournier)

Kenora, Ontario, Monday July 16 – The Hope in the Darkness National Walk for Youth Mental Health will arrive in Kenora on July 26. A welcoming ceremony is planned, starting at 11 a.m., at Seven Generations Education Institute, 240 Veterans Drive, followed by a fundraising barbecue. A walk to Keewatin Place will commence at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

The cross-country walk was initiated by Sgt. Kevin Redsky of the Anishinabek Police Service from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation who lost a niece to suicide in 2013. “The walk is inspired by her story and the stories of other young people from Treaty #3 who have struggled with mental health issues and the causes including the child welfare system, poverty, intergenerational trauma, and racism,” Redsky said. “The main purpose of the walk is to bring youth and police together to address mental health and to rebuild relationships between young people and police.”

Since it began on April 1, 2018, the walk along the TransCanada Highway has brought together youth, families, communities, police, and mental health service providers from the east and west coasts. Walkers from the two directions will meet for a grand finale in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on August 3.

Redsky and his team will walk into Kenora prior to the welcoming ceremony, which will include traditional greetings and prayers, words from local dignitaries and elders, and the singing of the Honor Song by the Whitefish Bay Singers. Youth and others are invited to join the 5.8 km walk to Keewatin, which will continue on to Granite Lake later in the day.

While he won’t be at the Kenora event, Mitchell Boulette who is a Treaty #3 Youth Mental Health Police Officer, is representing the local precinct by walking from the east beginning at Tilley, Alberta. This is Boulette’s second stint donating his time for the walk which, he says, hits close to home. He had a cousin die by suicide and has personally recovered from depression.

“I’m proof that if you ask for help – and get it – there is a way out of the darkness.”

Find out more at www.hopeinthedarkness.ca or on
Twitter: @YouthMHWalk;
Instagram: @walkforyouthmentalhealth; and
Facebook: facebook.com/walkforyouthmentalhealth.

There is also a Facebook page for the July 26 event that will include the latest updates: https://www.facebook.com/hopeinthedarknesskenorarally.

The planning committee extends sincere thanks to the many organizations that have helped with funding and in-kind support. A full listing of sponsors is on the Facebook page.

For more information:
Elaine White, Cultural Resource Coordinator
Ne-Chee Friendship Centre
Tel: (807)468-5440 Ext. 237
Fax: (807)468-5340
Email: cultural@nechee.org

Photo #1: Curve Lake First Nation School students and staff, Chief Phyllis Williams, staff from Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and Greater Golden Lake, OPP, and Armed Forces