Thunder Bay supports a couple’s walk across Canada to raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous peoples

The hot June sun shines on the group of individuals who do their best to seek shade under the pine tree that stands high above them.

Elders, hand drummers and community members gather for a small ceremony at the Terry Fox Memorial on the Trans-Canada Highway in Thunder Bay, Ontario. They are here to show their support for Charity and Cameron West who are walking across Canada to bring attention to murdered and missing Indigenous people across the country.

They started their journey in May, after Charity and Cameron left their home in Prince George, BC and decided to go hiking on a Sunday, leaving just a few days later.

Charity runs in honor of Barry Seymour, the father of her son who went missing in 2012 after visiting their son for his ninth birthday. She walks in his honor, hoping to raise awareness of the growing problem in Canada. Although this is one of many stories, Charity said.

“Not only did we lose, just like Barry… Cameron lost a cousin. I lost several cousins, several relatives,” said Charity.

The couple alternates every three miles while the other drives behind them in a dark blue Ford truck, totaling about 30 miles a day.

The trailing truck is filled with colorfully painted handprints from allies across Canada. They have attached large flags to the back of the truck and a sign with “walker ahead” in large white letters on the back to warn oncoming traffic of their presence.

The support they receive is what motivates them to continue their journey, Cameron said, and they are honored to hear from people who have similar stories to theirs, advocating for the importance of the walk.

“We have a lot of thoughts going through our heads. Sometimes we even doubt ourselves… and at the end of the day you see all the posts and all the comments and people encouraging us not to stop,” Cameron said. .

Important to the community

With the help of the hand drummers and elders, everyone gathered around the two, tobacco in hand and positive affirmations and prayers in support of them and their journeys.

Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Anna Betty Achneepineskum, was on hand to help guide the pair on the remainder of their 2,300-mile (3,710 km) journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland, where their hike will conclude.

Supporting a hike, as the West couple does, is critical to Thunder Bay and surrounding regions, Achneepineskum said.

“We have a lot of cold cases involving First Nation citizens. We need to work together to address and prevent those as well,” said Achneepineskum.

Last year, a report from an investigative team investigating sudden death cases in Thunder Bay involving Indigenous peoples recommended that 14 cases be re-examined. In addition, there are 25 unsolved cases of missing and murdered Thunder Bay Indigenous women and girls to be assessed, according to the report.

Achneepineskum made recommendations on what is needed to better combat the ongoing issue of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.

“More resources must come from the police forces,” she said.

She also suggests that the courts and those within the justice system hold themselves accountable for what they have contributed to the injustices against indigenous peoples.

For the next generation

The walk is important for people of all ages.

Kirsta Goodman of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek First Nation works as a summer student for Nishnawbe Aski Nation in the recovery and healing department. She, along with her friend, ran in support of the missing and murdered.

Goodman believes this is her duty as a young Anishnawbe woman.

“It’s my duty to attend this kind of thing… That’s how we change the future,” she said.

She found unity in everyone from different walks of life pressing their painted hands onto the truck that will follow the West couple for the rest of their journey.