Walkers honour survivors of Indian Residential schools

AnnHeinrichssays she wouldnt have her daughters if it werent for theintergenerationalimpacts that the Indian residential school systemhad on their birth families.

Her adopted daughters, Abby, 8,and Isabel, 5, are from theNuu-chah-nulthandSto:lo nations in B.C.Their grandparents and great-grandparents were sent to residential schools.

"When I see my daughter, I see her mothers features. I cant help but wonder what they experience knowing they dont have her, said Heinrichs, who is non-aboriginal.

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Heinrichs has joined a long-distance reconciliation walk from Stony Knoll, Saskatchewan, to Edmonton, Alberta. The group is heading for the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions final national event March 27 to 30.

Heinrichs is walking with three other non-aboriginal people from Winnipegs Mennonite community.

People will comment on how lucky our girls are to be raised by us, but how dare they, it cannot be assumed that way.I felt really offended for the birth family.- Ann Heinrichs

As Heinrichs daughters grow up into adulthood, she expects her girls will eventually feel the full impact of generational trauma brought about by residential schools.

Guilt is what she describes feeling.

People will comment on how lucky our girls are to be raised by us, but how dare they, it cannot be assumed that way. Ifelt really offended for the birth family, she said.

Because of this she feels she must be accountable to her adopted kids and educate herself about aboriginal peoples' experiences with colonialism.

How do we go about having integrity as our daughter grows up? We need to have integrity with her so she knows we tried to connect with other indigenous people, understanding her history and culture, said Heinrichs.

Her personal journey began when she would hear bits of survivors stories through her husband who was a pastor of a Mennonite Church in a now-defunct mining town next door to a Den community in Northern B.C.

In Sept. 2013, a Winnipeg chapter of the Student Christian Movement began planning a reconciliation walk. They wereinspired by the Nishiyuuyouth walkers who trekked 1,600 km from northern Quebec to Ottawa during the height of the Idle No More movement last winter.

It just hit me when I heard of this walk, said Heinrichs, who immediately wanted in.

There was a 'yes' that resonated with me.

Originally, the group wanted to walk 1,300 km from Winnipeg to Edmontonbut opted for a shorter, 550 km pilgrimage starting at Stoney Knoll, Sask.

Thats where YoungChipeewayanFirst Nation, Lutherans, and Mennonites signed a 2006 memorandum of understanding for all parties to respect treaties and "the sacred nature of covenants."

They agreed all groups would work towards peace, justice, and sufficiency. The walkers see their journey as an attempt to fulfill that agreement.

The walkers will tick off 25 to 35 kilometres per day for three weeks starting March 7.

In the planning stages, Heinrichs said naysayers would give reasons why she didnt need to trek, and she would often revisit the pros versus cons.

Its not a walk of knowledge, its a walk of caring.- Ann Heinrichs

The yes inside grew stronger, said Heinrichs. I do want to honour the experiences of my childrens birth families, their grandparents, grandparents who went to residential schools.

As Christians we need to focus on setting things right ... theres such a big wall, that needs to change, but [there are] only small changes so far.

A residential school survivors group from Saskatoon is also honouring the walkers as they set out.

Heinrichs said the three weeks will be the longest she has ever been awayfrom her kids.Her husband, Steve Heinrichs, will be supporting the walkers from Winnipeg, along with a group of people fasting.

On the walk sheplans to absorb the indigenous geography, history and stories of the places theyll be passing through.

Aside from learning, "its a walk of caring, said Heinrichs, who hopes to make meaningful connectionsalong the way.