The Journey of Nishiyuu inspires thousands

It all started in mid-December when a youth in Whapmagoostui First Nation began thinking of ways to show his support for Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence.
At the time, Spence was in the first few days of her fast in Ottawa, where she wanted to meet with the prime minister and governor general to discuss Canada’s treaty relationship with First Nations.
“It really touched me to see how much she put herself through for her people,” said David Kawapit, who was 17 at the time. “And that got me thinking to see how I can show support without waiting for someone else to start something, like most people do.”
Kawapit came up with the idea walking from his community, located along the Hudson Bay coast in northern Quebec, all the way Ottawa, some 1,600 kilometres away, in the middle of winter.
As he strongly considered the idea for a couple of days, he had a vision of a wolf and a bear. In Kawapit’s vision the wolf symbolized First Nations people in Canada and the bear symbolized the government.
“When (a wolf is) alone, it can be easily killed by a bear. But when the wolf has his brothers to call upon, he can easily take down the bear,” Kawapit said. “That’s how the journey became what it is to me.”
Kawapit announced his decision during the community’s Christmas festivities. He originally planned to depart New Years Day, but Elders and supporters advised him to wait until waterways were frozen so crossing would be safe.
The extra time allowed for other youth to join up for the journey.
The youth walkers decided to call it the Journey of Nishiyuu.
Matthew Mukash, a former chief of the community and former grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, said nishiyuu is a term derived from a local legend.
“Before the birth of human species, all kingdoms of nature knew that there would be a new species that would roam the earth and they called it nishiyuu,” he said. “We use it in our language to distinguish from other species of nature.”
Donning snowshoes and pulling toboggans, Kawapit, Jordon Masty, Stanley George Jr., Travis George, Johnny Abraham, Raymond Kawapit and Gordie Rupert embarked on their journey in hopes of bringing a message of unity.
Their first destination was Chisasibi First Nation, located about 240 kilometres southwest of Whapmagoostui. The first stretch would be the longest leg of the trek.
The walkers braved temperatures that averaged –40 C and would dip to –50 C.
“That was hell,” Kawapit laughed. “But it was probably the funnest times for me and the guys, because for us seven we were getting to know each other and becoming friends.”
The experience allowed the walkers to bond. Kawapit said some of them had never talked to each other before the walk.
“For example, me and Gordie Rupert, we never once communicated with each other back home, but on this journey, we became brothers, really,” he said. “It shows how this journey unites people.”
After two weeks, the walkers reached Chisasibi. When they left the community on Feb. 1, eight youth joined them. The walkers numbered 35 when they left Wemindji on Feb. 8, and 42 when they left Eastmain on Feb. 15.
The last Cree community of Waskaganish held a special meaning to Kawapit. In 2009, he and other youth had completed the Journey of Eeyou Istchee, a walk through their traditional territory to Waskaganish.
“That’s when I learned a lot about myself,” he said, adding that later that year he paddled along the Rupert River before it was diverted.
The Journey of Nishiyuu did present challenges for Kawapit.
“There was a time where I thought I couldn’t complete the walk myself, but I knew the other guys would,” he said. “But I got some counselling from someone who was following us.”
The number of walkers continued to grow as they entered Algonquin territory. This included Edmond Etherington of Moose Cree First Nation, who joined on March 3 in Lac Simon, Que.
The 31-year-old was one of Spence’s helpers for 40 days on Victoria Island when she was conducting her fast.
“I wanted to go support them because they supported Theresa Spence and what she’s trying to do,” Etherington said of his reason for joining.
In the initial days, Etherington did not talk much to the other walkers.
“I just kept to myself because I wanted to see people and if they were into the walk,” he said. “I saw people that were really determined to make a statement towards society today about unity.”
The number of walkers reached 270 by the time they departed Chelsea, Que., on March 25 to complete the walk to Ottawa.
Kawapit said he was overwhelmed with the number of youth that joined them on the journey.
“It felt good that a lot youth wanted to join,” he said. “I really have no words to explain it.”
The Journey of Nishiyuu stopped on Victoria Island, the site where Spence held her fast. There, Kawapit met the person who inspired the journey for the first time.
“I felt really happy to meet my inspiration,” Kawapit said of Spence. “ She was joking around. When we met, she’s like, ‘I’m not sure who’s more honoured to meet who right now.’”
The walkers then made their way to Parliament Hill, where about 5,000 people were on hand to welcome them and celebrate the success of the journey.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Kawapit said. “It felt good to accomplish what you set to out to do for your people. It felt good that a lot of people shared a vision.”
Mukash said the journey was a spiritual one, as it was reflected in a legend passed down over generations.
During the ice age, Mukash said, a young boy wouldn’t stop crying because his grandfather passed on said he would not stop crying until a bundle containing the spirit of summer was retrieved from another tribe.
“The tribe chose the best runners, or walkers, to get the bundle. They went through all the hardships,” Mukash said.
“And that’s what happened to these guys (in the Journey of Nishiyuu). Some wanted to quit, but through support of others, they sat together and said we have to finish this journey.”
Mukash said the legend is prophetic of what he sees as a changing time, as the spirit of summer was brought back and all the new life began.
“One day, this is going to happen again,” he said. “There’s so much love resulting from this journey.”
Mukash said they are getting messages from all corners of the earth from people who are touched by the Journey of Nishiyuu.
“We’re getting invitations from all over the world for these original seven to come and talk,” he said.
Kawapit said the journey was a spiritual one that changed him.
“It really showed me who I am and what I want to do,” he said. “It tested me mentally, emotionally and physically. It set the limits on how far I can push myself. I don’t regret doing it at all.”
Kawapit, who turned 18 years old during the journey, has no specific plans to do another walk in the near future, but said he will be there to support any youth who “answer the call.”
“My future is set on my people now, and whenever they need me, I’ll be there,” he said. “Right now, I’ll go home to rest.”