Chimeda – We Are Paddling

So many thanks and much respect to be given. To the Youth who have shown us how reconciliation is done, and most especially to Water for bringing us together.

“Reconciliation is about healing relationships, building trust and working out our differences.” – Romeo Saganash, NDP MP

Last week I had the privilege of accompanying a group of youth on a paddle down a River whose shores I grew up on and whose stories have shaped me to my core. I was deeply touched by the might of this group’s work / spirit. I made new friends. What a beauty of a River from Kitigan Zibi to Victoria Island, a trek I’ve been wanting to take for years. Over six days, we paddled down our shared Gatineau River. Words can’t express how amazing the experience was. My heart will forever be with the crew that paddled.

“Chimeda – We are paddling” is reconciliation in action. Chimeda is Algonquin youth from Kitigan Zibi, and five non-indigenous youth from Wakefield and Chelsea making a historic trip paddling our shared Gatineau River from Maniwaki to Ottawa on June 26 – July 1st, meeting with Algonquin elders, settlers, and environmentalists to learn about our shared environment and history along the way.

Follow the group on facebook at Chimeda – We are Paddling.

More on Chimeda, here.

‪#‎chimeda‬-paddle #chimedawarriors