We invite you to join us in solidarity with the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal (NWSM) for the 8th annual Spirit Walk fundraiser on June 11, 2022 on Mount Royal (or virtually from June 1-11th). Since 2013, the Spirit Walk has been an important event for both the NWSM and the Montreal community to actively take steps toward reconciliation and raise essential funds for Indigenous women and children accessing the NWSM’s services.

This year, we hope to raise $60,000. Funds raised will contribute to the NWSM’s second stage housing project, Miyoskamin House (23 housing units), and specifically the development of the Saralikitaaq Social Pediatric Centre, an Indigenous-led space for families to access health and social services in a culturally safe environment. Together, these resources will help to ensure that Indigenous families stay together and mitigate the likelihood of Indigenous children ending up in the foster care system. Indigenous children are overrepresented at every stage of the youth protection system; the rates are higher than ever before, including during the period of residential schools.* Access to resources in childhood has a profound impact on adulthood.

The NWSM continues to play an essential role in supporting Indigenous women and children that are impacted by systemic discrimination within the health care and child welfare systems. The Spirit Walk is an opportunity to directly contribute to and support the important projects and work of the NWSM, which keeps Indigenous families together.

Walk with us!

TO PARTICIPATE, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. Register as a 2022 Spirit Walker by clicking the "REGISTRATION" button on the right of the screen and pay the $20 registration fee. In registering, you will be prompted to create a fundraiser profile. Tell us why you support the Native Women’s Shelter of Montréal.

2. Solicit donations among your network from June 1 to June 11, 2022.

3. WALK WITH US!

In person: Walk with us on June 11, 2022 on Mount Royal starting at the gazebo (following public health guidelines).

Virtually: Take an intentional walk or wheel anytime from June 1 to June 11, 2022, and check out the social media posts on the FB event page and our instagram. Take a selfie of your walk and post to Instagram using hashtag #NWSMSpiritWalk and #SpiritWalk2022 and tag @spiritwalkmtl OR send your picture by email to: spirit.walk.nwsm@gmail.

4. You can always make a donation to the general campaign by clicking the "DONATE" button.

SPIRIT WALK JUNE 11, 2022 SCHEDULE

1:00 pm - Registration opens near the Mordecai Richler Gazebo next to Mount Royal (4060 Park ave.). Registered in-person participants receive a t-shirt.

1:30 pm - Opening ceremony with remarks from Nakuset (Executive Director, Native Women’s Shelter of Montréal) and Ahonwakerane Stacey.

2:00 pm - Walk begins. The walk is approximately 5km. Unlike prior years, the walk will be a loop and end where it began.

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Performance by The Buffalo Hat Singers, with the generous support of CKUT, followed by the announcement of total funds raised.

4:30 pm END

For anyone with mobility concerns who would like to participate, please contact us at spirit.walk.nwsm@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome! Bring your friends, family, and pets and come WALK WITH US!

All donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.

Registration includes a t-shirt only for those registered (one per registration fee paid) and who physically join us for the in-person event.

WALK WITH US! SUPPORT INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND CHILDREN!

Follow us on: Instagram @spiritwalkmtl #NWSMSpiritWalk #SpiritWalk2022 #WalkWithUs

FB: @NativeWomensShelter

Email us at: spirit.walk.nwsm@gmail.com

Find out about the Native Women’s Shelter of Montréal at: www.nwsm.info

*See the Report “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back” by Dr Elizabeth Fast et al.