On the frozen shores of Hudson’s Bay in January, a small group of Great Whale Cree strapped on their mukluks, pulled on their parkas and set out on an epic and frigid journey on foot to Ottawa.

Drawing inspiration from Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence during her fast more than 1,500 kilometres to the south, six youth and a 49-year-old master hunter decided they too wanted to do something to draw attention to aboriginal issues and joined the ad hoc actions of the Idle No More movement taking place all over the country.

Almost two months after they departed Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuaraapik, Que., in –40 C weather, the walkers have covered more than 1,000 kilometres and rallied about 100 people to join them from communities along the way.

“They’re very determined,” said Matthew Mukash, a spokesperson for the march, who stayed behind but keeps tabs on the walkers. “The second day, in the evening, it went down to –58 and they slept in their canvas-covered lodge. . . . They went on like that for a month.”

This week, the group crossed into Algonquin territory and received a raucous welcome from locals in Lac-Simon, Que., before being treated to a feast with the whole community.

“The time to stand united is now,” wrote Whapmagoostui Chief Stanley George in a letter of support. “Our youths will reinforce the traditional bonds that existed between the Cree Nation and our historical allies by restoring the traditional trade routes that linked the Cree, Algonquin, Mohawk and other First Nations.”

When the march continued the next day, they were joined by several members of the community who had been training ever since they heard about the walk.

On March 25 the marchers expect to reach Parliament Hill, where New Democrat MP Romeo Saganash (Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou) will gather a welcoming party to greet them.

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