IN SUPPORT OF WALK4JUSTICE AND MISSING WOMEN

Cathy told me about the phone call from David Milne. David is a Christian Peacemaker, most recently involved in the flotilla that attempted to bring supplies to the Palestinians in Gaza. David is also on the Bay of Quinte Conference of the United Church's Right Relations Committee. He is active in efforts to heal the broken relations with the Aboriginal peoples. He invited us to join up with a cross-country walk that was passing through the region.

Walk4Justice (http://fnbc.info/walk4justice), founded in 2008 and inspired by two B.C. native women, would be raising awareness concerning the thousands of murdered and missing women in our country. They want government and police to do more. The murder, sexual exploitation and abuse must stop. The walkers had started in June from Vancouver, B.C. and were going to be at the Bayview Mall in Belleville at 1 p.m. today, September 13. The destination was Tyendinaga.

One of the women walkers led the way carrying the staff along the side of the highway. A native man walked behind. I asked to walk with him and he welcomed me. David and Tim followed in behind us.  Some distance down the road Tim turned back to return to his truck to prepare to pick us up.

My companion introduced himself as Roger from Six Nations. I told him that I had lived on Sagamok Anishnawbek for 8 years. He asked whether I knew "Valentine." I told him that I was there with Valentine in his last days. Valentine had been a teacher of traditional ways and Roger had followed a time of fasting at Valentine's home on Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. Roger is himself now a teacher and healer employing traditional medicines.

Roger told me that he had brought the Bible on one of his fasts and studied the words of Jesus. As we walked Roger said that he was happy to be walking with me and he was happy that I supported this important cause. He recalled the phrase -- 'when 2 or 3 gather in my name, I will be there with them.' We felt together in the presence.

The 10 kilometres went by quickly as we talked about our lives -- Roger and David and myself. David and I were happy to have walked with these strong women and their supporters. We parted with greetings and smiles and stood together for a photo that will carry a memory of this action on behalf of missing women.