This group walked nearly 400 km to raise awareness about bullying, violence in First Nations

Sarah Law · CBC News

· Posted: May 27, 2025 12:49 PM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours ago

WARNING: This communicative contains references to suicide.

Josh Nanokeesic's parent says she doesn't privation anyone other to endure the aforesaid mode helium did, which is what motivated her to locomotion astir 400 kilometres from Sioux Lookout, Ont., to Thunder Bay.

Nanokeesic was 16 years aged erstwhile helium was severely bullied, beaten and died of his injuries successful 2015 successful Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, a distant assemblage besides known arsenic Big Trout Lake.

Three teens were charged with second-degree execution and aggravated battle successful transportation with the incident.

A decennary later, Nanokeesic's uncle, Steven Morris, led the 3rd and last Bullying Awareness Walk successful his memory.

"I decided to assistance him connected this locomotion this time," said Roseann Thomas, Nanokeesic's mother. "Trying to halt bullying due to the fact that excessively galore kids person been [lost] already done suicide, and they're being bullied by different peers."

About a twelve walkers, representing Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Kingfisher Lake First Nation, participated successful the two-week journey, carrying signs with photos of Nanokeesic and a database of names of different First Nation members who mislaid their lives to bullying and violence.

The locomotion was sponsored by Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Dibenjikewin Onaakonikewin (KIDO), besides known arsenic KI Family Law. It ended astatine Thunder Bay City Hall connected Monday, followed by a assemblage gathering.

In a Facebook post, KIDO applauded the family's efforts to enactment First Nations youth.

"Steven Morris, archetypal walked from Sioux to Thunder Bay truthful Roseann could beryllium by Josh's broadside successful the infirmary and again successful 2016 for awareness. This 3rd and last journey, sponsored by KIDO, is astir healing, remembrance, and gathering compassion and understanding."

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a governmental territorial enactment which represents 49 First Nations crossed Treaties 9 and 5, besides recognized the walkers online.

"After 2 almighty weeks connected foot, the Bullying Awareness Walk from Sioux Lookout to Thunder Bay has travel to a close," NAN said connected Facebook connected Monday. "Miigwetch to everyone who has shown enactment on the way."

While this year's lawsuit marks the family's last walk, Thomas said she wants to marque definite her lad is ever remembered.

"We're raising awareness," she said.

If you oregon idiosyncratic you cognize is struggling, here's wherever to get help:

• Nishnawbe Aski Mental Health and Addictions Support Access Program: 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673) Open 24/7. Crisis enactment telephone enactment for NAN members.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Text oregon call 9-8-8 for intelligence wellness support. Open 24/7.
• Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 Open 24/7. Provides escaped telephone and unrecorded online chat counselling on the website for Indigenous people. Support disposable successful Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin), Cree and Inuktitut upon request. 
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Open 24/7. Free telephone and unrecorded chat counselling on the website for younker successful Canada. 
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour situation centre.
• This usher from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines however to speech astir termination with idiosyncratic you're disquieted about.