By Bryan Eneas

Ahtahkakoop walks a mile in heels for a cause

Aug 23, 2016 | 5:00 PM

Men from Ahtahkakoop First Nation experienced an entirely new sensation as they donned high heeled shoes, and walked a mile down Highway 790 into their home community.

On a damp and dreary day, about 50 people trekked through a mist of rain to raise awareness for the murdered and missing indigenous women crisis in Canada and to raise funds for the Prince Albert Women’s Safe Shelter.

“We decided this year, kinda brainstorming that it would be a good fundraiser. Not only is it a sacred walk, but it would be good to go to something else that’s meaningful, like a women’s shelter,” organizer Roxanne Benjamin said.

Benjamin said despite last year’s lack of support from chief and council, three staff members of the Cree Nations Treatment Haven were able to pull together a successful walk. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes raised over $3,700 for the Prince Albert Women’s Safe Shelter, according to Benjamin.

Audrey Badger from the Cree Nation said in addition to the two council members participating in this year’s event, chief and council also donated to Family Day.

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The Prince Albert Police Service and two members of the RCMP were on hand to show their support for First Nations women. Police chief Troy Cooper traded his shoes in for a pair of bright red high heels and made the full trek, walking shoulder to shoulder with residents from Ahtahkakoop.

“Physically this was one of the most painful things I’ve ever done,” Cooper said. “For communities like Ahtahkakoop this is their reality. This is something they wake up understanding every day, that colour and race and gender are risk factors, and we know it shouldn’t be that way.”

Cooper said that events like this walk are needed to help break the underlying racism that exists in Saskatchewan.

“Events like today, its not about blaming anybody. It’s about recognizing that there is an issue and finding a way to move forward,” Cooper said.

Cooper was invited by the organizers of the walk. He said he was honoured to be a part of the event.

Tyson Shepherd is originally from Cowessess First Nation, about 165 km from Regina. He has lived in Ahtahkakoop for about six years. Prior to the walk, he raised about $250 in pledges to be donated to the women’s shelter.

“It was very difficult. I can barely stand,” Shepherd said of walking in high heels for the first time. “I was walking for some direct friends and family who are affected by the missing and murdered women.”

Shepherd said he feels as though he did his part for his friends and family by walking to raise awareness.

According to Sherry Bates, the assistant director of the P.A. Women’s Shelter, they had no idea they would receive a donation from Ahtahkakoop.

“It was a lovely surprise. We knew nothing until last week, and for some reason they picked us. We’re honoured that happened,” Bates said.

“It brings huge awareness to the issues, and it brings huge awareness to violence against women. It also brings awareness to violence against everybody,” Carol Soles, the executive director said. “To have guys out there walking in these shoes, it just shows you the commitment they have to stopping it.”

The shelter will be hosting its very own Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in 2017 according to Soles.

“Fifty years ago, you wouldn’t have that support from men, and that’s what’s going to make a difference.” Soles said.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

on Twitter: @BryanEneas

Editor’s Note– This story was updated at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23 to clarify a quote and add an additional quote from Audrey Badger.