Creating awareness during walk to national event

Walking alongside his father from Cochrane, Ont., and now with about 800 km left until they reach Halifax and the third national Truth and Reconciliation Commission event, Patrick Etherington Jr. has come to realize that the blisters on his feet and his aching legs do not compare to what his father and other former students of residential schools went through.

“It’s hard what we’re doing but my suffering is nothing. It really puts me in my place,” said the 28-year-old member of the Moose Cree First Nation.

Along with beginning to understand his father, Etherington Jr. is beginning to understand himself.
“I’m starting to see why (my father) has gone to the places he’s gone. It’s because of residential school. My dad and me, for awhile there, the love was always there but sometimes he’s never showed it,” said Etherington Jr., speaking during a break in the comfort of accommodations in Bonaventure, Que.

“And I see the way I act. Sometimes I don’t express myself too much and when I do it’s only anger. And I’m starting to understand why.”

Patrick Etherington Sr. is leading his second walk to a TRC national event. He walked from Cochrane to Winnipeg last summer. The walk is to raise awareness about the plight of survivors of residential schools, said Etherington Sr., and to educate, not only non-Aboriginals, but also First Nations people.

Etherington Sr. wants First Nations people to know about the financial compensation available through Common Experience Payments and the Independent Assessment Process. (Application for CEP came to an end during Etherington Sr.’s walk, though First Nations leadership is hoping to encourage government to extend the CEP deadline.)

“A lot of people weren’t aware of the full package,” said Etherington Sr.

For non-Aboriginals, the issue is awareness of a different kind.

“Non-Natives don’t understand. They don’t really know what this is about. Some people listen to what we are talking about,” said Etherington Sr.

The group, which involves a second residential school survivor, Frances Whiskeychan, has spoken to people along the route. As well they have attended more formal outings such as talks at community meetings. They have done interviews on the radio, and held discussions with churches who signed the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.

Etherington Sr. said that United and Anglican churches have been welcoming, allowing the group to speak to their congregations, but the Roman Catholic church hasn’t issued the same invitation.

“I’m surprised (by the Catholic church). We’re not saying something against them. We just want to dialogue,” said Etherington Sr.

Etherington Sr. and Whiskeychan’s travelling companions are a younger generation. Although these young men have never experienced residential schools, they have all felt the impact personally.

“I’m starting to understand, starting to really see it happened. I’m hearing the stories. We’ve met survivors along the way,” said Robert Hunter. “I’m not really a feeler, but I’m feeling hurt from what they had to go through in residential schools. And it makes me angry because they were taken away from their homes.”

Hunter, 29, is a member of the Peawanuk First Nation. Both his mother and father attended residential schools. Neither of his parents speaks freely of the experience.

“I went on (this journey) because I needed to know what happened,” Hunter said. “I get really shaky when I hear about the stories. It makes me look at my life, how lucky I am.”

For James Kioke, 27, of the Attawapiskat First Nation, the walk is not only an opportunity to learn more about the experience his grandparents and father talk about, but it is an opportunity for him to stay drug-free.

“By walking on the road, there are no drugs to buy. I’ve been off drugs for almost three months now,” he said. He added he is not thinking ahead to what will happen when he finishes the walk. “I have four children. They’re just babies. I’m a better person right now.”

Sammy Koosees, at 21, is the youngest walker. Koosees, from the Attawapiskat First Nation, said he is taking this journey for the youth.

“What they’re doing, getting into drugs, not respecting their Elders, I’m hoping (the youth) can understand from what I’m doing,” said Koosees. “I’m learning about living this life. This life is worth living without the drugs and alcohol.”

The walkers began their journey on July 29. They will reach Halifax in time for the start of the TRC’s national event, Oct. 26. They will have travelled 2,200 km.