Okanagan Nation Alliance run completed to raise suicide and violence awareness – Okanagan

The Okanagan Nation Alliance is taking the following step in elevating consciousness of suicide and violence locally with their 14th Unity Run.

The 288-kilometre run began on Friday on the Kamloops Indian Residential College and ends on the Syilx Indian Residential College monument on the Penticton Indian Band reserve.

“We did a ceremony first to let the spirits of these youngsters know what we’re doing (to) deliver their spirits house,” stated Louis.

One other purpose for the Unity Run is to tell folks about points impacting folks locally. Westbank First Nation council member, Andrea Alexander says she hopes this may encourage folks to take motion.

“We elevate consciousness for suicide and violence. As a residential college survivor, I feel it’s simply superior to be part of this. My mom went to residential college, so I’m an intergenerational survivor. I feel it’s simply nice to boost consciousness for these type of initiatives.”

Jennifer Lewis, a wellness supervisor with the Okanagan Nation Alliance says the run was initially began by younger folks they usually’ve carried on the custom over the previous 14 years. Lewis says this offers them an opportunity to attach with themselves and the character round them.

“As our younger folks run, they put footprints on their territory and after they try this they breathe the air and see all the pieces round them. They actually get right into a relationship with their land, so for certain it brings them nearer to their land,” stated Lewis.

All through their three-day journey, every runner carried an eagle feather with them, which Louis says serves as a connection to the creator.

“That eagle feather represents our spirituality and so after they carry that eagle feather, that eagle feather hears their prayers whereas they’re operating,” added Louis.

The alliance is trying ahead to the 15^th annual run subsequent yr whereas persevering with to unfold consciousness locally.