A group of young people from the James Bay Cree community of Whapmagoostui, Que., is making its way through Gatineau this morning near the end of a 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 nearly 400, according to volunteers and Gatineau police, after other children and youth from Cree and Algonquin communities joined them along the way.
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, Que., about a three-hour walk from Ottawa. "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."
PM in Toronto for pandas' arrival
Just before 9 a.m. Monday, the group left Chelsea. They arrived at the intersection of Saint-Raymond and Saint-Joseph boulevards at about 11 a.m.
They're expected to head to Victoria Island, where a welcome ceremony has been scheduled. The group will then complete their walk to Parliament Hill.
At the Hill, the seven original walkers will make speeches, along with leaders of other First Nations communities that joined the walk.
National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo, will also speak, as well as Attawapiskat Chief Teresa Spence.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, meanwhile, is in Toronto for the arrival of two giant pandas.
Some needed medical attention
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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