Maureen Wood and a group from the Island Lake First Nations travel more than 3,000 kilometers on foot to Ottawa

Earlier this spring Maureen Wood began walking from St. Theresa Point to Winnipeg to draw attention to the meth crisis in her community. Last summer (2017) when more than 6,000 people were evacuated from the Island Lakes area because of forest fires, drug dealers gave free samples of meth to some of the evacuees and so the meth crisis began. Maureen Wood picked up additional walkers in Garden Hill and Wasagamack and by the time she left the Island Lakes area there were a group of about 40 walkers. They travelled the winter road, came through Norway House and reached Winnipeg more than 1,000 kilometers later. In Winnipeg they met with Liberal, NDP and Conservative MLAs and the Health Minister to bring awareness of the meth crisis and to ask for help. Judy Klassen, Liberal MLA for Kewatinook, asked the Health Minister for support in Question Period.

But they did not stop there. They continued their walk all the way to Ottawa, overcoming numerous challenges along the way. Now, they have arrived in Ottawa and are meeting with Members of Parliament and with Minister Jane Philpott. Much thanks are due to Judy Klassen who has been a big support all along the way.

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