Valerie G. Barnes Connell Jordan
Northern Advocate
A small group have continued to keep an annual walk going over eight years, as a way to offer support to other families and raise awareness around suicide.
The walk offers a combination of raising awareness, letting other families know “they are not alone” and healing for the walkers themselves, Laurie-Ann Roberts, organizer of the annual event, said in an interview with the Northern Advocate.
“I think it is important to get the awareness out there. Letting them know that they are not alone, and we are here to help,” Roberts said.
Sometimes people stop along with way to talk, share stories, drop off donations, or just honk when going by, she added.
Walking can be healing for walkers as well. It gives time to think or just be out in the open with support. If someone gets behind, the van is right behind. and the driver will pick them up and catch them up to the other walkers.
The annual walk began in 2017 following a crisis in La Ronge and Stanley Mission in 2016. The annual walk begins in Prince Albert, takes eight days and ends in Stanley Mission. This year’s walk began Friday, Aug. 2 and ended in Stanley Mission on Friday, Aug. 9.
