Thanks to the Pisikotan project, young Atikamekw from Manawan and Wemotaci took a sporting journey of several hundred kilometers last week to reach the Anishinaabe community of Kitigan Zibi in Outaouais. The initiative organized by Lanaudière’s Native Friendship Center allows participants to get stuck in their comfort zone while initiating a true reflection on identity.
Mission accomplished! Six young Indigenous people, aged 16 to 20, arrived early Saturday morning after running, walking and canoeing a rabaska for about 300 kilometers. We left Joliette on Thursday to join the Anishinaabe community of Kitigan Zibisaid Luc Parlavecchio of the Joliette Native Friendship Center in a phone interview.
The speaker refers to himself as educator accompanied the group throughout its journey to build social relationships through sports training. He explained that the challenge has several goals from strengthening culture the mix between several Aboriginal communities, in this case the Atikamekw and the Anishinabé.
Build strong relationships
There are other aspects to consider, Luc Parlavecchio says. In this outdoor adventure, young people have the opportunity to transcend their own limitations and create group unity.
For Yanka Flamand, there really is a family spirit created. When we started the trip, we don’t talked much to each other, says the 18-year-old participant from Manawan. But as time goes on, we get to know each other.
The course is not always easy and sometimes scary, added Izaak Q. from Manawan. At age 16, he was the youngest in the group. Walking in the woods in the middle of the night was one of his great moments of fear. We can’t go back, he said. So we had no choice but to continue despite everything.
Beyond self, other young people also experienced this, but all agreed to talk about a unique experience including three and a half months of training before the challenge. This is the case of Eruoma Ottawa-Chilton, which is in its third release.
” When you run into the woods or row on the river, you immediately think it’s hard, but in the end, it’s really worth the effort. “
The young woman from Wemotaci said the Pisikotan project was also an opportunity to reconnect with her roots. We used rabaska, the mode of transportation of our ancestors, he says. This allows us to regain our identity as Aboriginal people.
Upon arrival, the youths were greeted by the Kitigan Zibi community conducting their first annual powwow. For most Atikamekw participants, this was their first meeting with the Anishinabé. Even though our languages are different, I have noticed that we are similar and we have a lot in commonend of Eruoma Ottawa-Chilton.
Ismael HoudassineIsmael Houdassine
Source: Radio-Canada
