CNUFN and Lion’s Head community members are holding a walk in Lion’s Head, on July 3rd, called “Can You Hear Me? Together A Walk Of Healing”. Scheduled to start at 7:00 PM, the walk is in honour of all children who attended residential schools, especially the 215 Indigenous children found in unmarked graves near the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, those in more than 750 unmarked graves near Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, and those yet to be found. The Lion’s Head community typically hosts a parade on Canada Day, but in light of the terrible revelations, the organizers instead decided to collaborate with CNUFN on the memorial walk.

The walk will end at the Lion’s Head Beach pavilion with a safe, physically distanced gathering on the grass. Following the walk there will be a time of reflection. Participants are welcomed to bring chairs or blankets to hear from residential school survivors and their families, about their experiences and their ongoing struggles. Chief Greg Nadjiwon will also be in attendance and is expected to give his remarks.

The walk will start at the Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) at 5 Moore Street, proceed north on Main St, turn east on Webster St, and end at the Lion’s Head Beach pavilion. The route will be hung with tee-shirt cutouts that walkers and spectators can write on to leave messages of condolence and support.

Walkers and spectators are encouraged to wear orange for the event, the colour associated with residential school awareness and support for survivors. Organizers have ordered 300 orange T-shirts in women, men and youth sizes. You may get one the day of the walk, starting at 6:00 PM. Cost is by donation with proceeds going to children’s services in Neyaashiinigmiing.

To participate in the walk, meet at the Lion’s Head school on Moore Street, on July 3, before the start. (Arrive a littler earlier to buy a shirt.) The walk will begin promptly at 7:00 PM. Spectators are invited to line the route to show their support.

For those who are joining the walk please note the following:

• A mask must be worn and physical distancing requirements must be followed. This is very important!!
• The organizers are taking every precaution to keep all participants safe, but do ask that you provide your information for contact tracing, in the unlikely event of a COVID-19 outbreak. Feel free to preregister if you’re confident you will be attending.
• Lion’s Head Transit has generously donated their bus for those who feel they can’t do any or all of the walk but still want to participate.

Register for the event online.

For more information, contact Marydale Ashcroft at 519-374-4468.