Chronic Disease Agent Sol Awashish, with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, has launched a virtual walk from Mistissini to Nemaska to promote healthy living.
According to Awashish, the idea isn’t to actually get anyone to walk from Mistissini to Nemaska, but instead complete 378 km of walking, the exact distance between the two communities, between June 22 and August 10.
Awashish estimates this can be done simply by walking an average of 7.5 km daily which should take approximately 1.5 hours.
Awashish said he embarked on the project because walking is a Cree tradition and it’s also a great way to prevent diabetes by loosing weight, staying in shape and minimizing stress levels.
To end the virtual journey, Awashish said he will walk the final 25-50 km to reach Nemaska during the Annual General Assembly of the Grand Council of the Cree and the Cree Regional Authority to present his new diabetes strategy.
