THUNDER BAY – On Monday, it will be 11 years since the first Orange Shirt Day and four years since the formal recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
The 3rd annual Honouring Our Children Run at Boulevard Lake offers a powerful opportunity to actively engage in our community.
Started in 2022, the run is a way to honour the Indigenous children taken to residential schools, and support the ongoing healing of survivors and their families.
Natalie Paavola, Director of Health and Wellness at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, said the event is for everyone, regardless if you are registered.
“You can actually come out and enjoy the activity booth that will be set up that day.
“We have other activities such as an Elders component where the Elders can come out and do their walk. We have a children's walk as well.
“There’s going to be a lot of different activities other than the run,” Paavola said.
It’s important to incorporate opportunities for those who can’t necessarily participate in a run, she said.
“The activities range from making bracelets for those that you are either running or walking for, or remembering on that day. It's important to have options for everyone.”
There is a 15k, 10k and 5k run, Paavola said.
“The 15 and 10k, you have 1st, 2nd, 3rd place for male and female and those places are sponsored,” she said.
All funding raised from the Honouring Our Children Run supports the Mazinaajim Children's Foundation.
Paavola said organizers don't have a specific fundraising goal.
“We always want to do better than what we did the year before. But, we're very happy with the community's support and sponsorship towards this event and towards our community.
“Whatever we are able to raise, we are happy,” Paavola said.
Paavola runs in this event each year.
“I choose to run every year because I come from a family that has direct experience with residential schools. Every year I've run in honour of my father who attended the McIntosh residential school.
“I run because the impacts of the residential school systems are alive and well. We're seeing it today with the social challenges that we have in the community. I run because I don't want to give up, I run because I am hopeful that there is a better future for us,” she said.
The first run starts at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. Everyone is encouraged to visit Boulevard Lake and attend the event.
For more information, visit the Honouring Our Children Run website.
