Saskatoon's B'yauling Toni had a very memorable end to 2021. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Influential people

Saskatoon man aims to be the ‘spark’ for the Timber Bay Residential School recognition fight

Dec 31, 2021 | 5:00 PM

While acknowledging he is both tired and sore, a man who travelled over 300 kilometers on foot, said he is grateful to be home spending New Year’s Eve with his family.

On Tuesday, B’yauling Toni, 21, successfully completed the long trek from Saskatoon to Timber Bay, where he delivered the forgotten pair of mocassins at the site of the former Timber Bay Children’s Home.

In addition to showing support for residental school victims, the purpose of Toni’s trip was also to create awareness around the former school and the need to have it formally recognized as a residential school so that it’s former students can be properly compensated for any emotional trauma they may have incurred.

Upon his arrival in Timber Bay, Toni was welcomed by a number of local leaders and had the chance later during dinner to sit and talk with over a dozen former students who shared their stories with him.

“It showed how real it was; the real impact on those peoples lives and it was very emotional,” Toni recalled.

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From left to right: RCMP Staff Sgt. Brian Kelly, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, B’yauling Toni, Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Joyce Mcleod Naytowhow, and PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte. (Submitted photo/Conrad Naytowhow)

Reflecting back on his long journey through freezing temperatures and deep snow, Tony acknowledged it was a lot more challenging than he originally thought it would be, adding he spent a lot of time off the road.

“I ended up breaking a lot of trail and I think I was a little under prepared for how physically strenuous that is,” he said.

Toni also spent a lot time walking.

“Maybe from eight to 10 hours just to get my distance because the speed on some of that snow is really slow,” he explained.

On the second to last day of his trip, Toni lost his phone. He accidently dropped it while recording one of a number of videos he had done over the course of his 10-day trip.

“At the time I was in waist deep snow in Muskeg and there was no way to find it. I looked all over,” he said.

Toni hangs the forgotten pair of mocassins, along withBishop Adam Halkett, and former Children’s Home student James R Bird. (Submitted photo/Conrad Naytowhow)

What’s next?

In the coming months, a petition with nearly 950 signatures — as of Friday — will be delivered to the provincial legislature.

The petition was created by members of the Ballantyne project, who have spent years raising awareness on the former Timber Bay Children’s Home. In addition to encouraging the provincial government to take responsibility for the school, the petition also encourages the release of documents of children who attended. Toni said he hopes his efforts can provide a spark for local leaders and survivors to continue fighting.

“Sometimes that is needed to bring them together to really spark that, because it is a long battle for them and almost 20 years they have been fighting this,” he said.

Following his arrival on Tuesday, Toni spent a few more days in the area and even learned how to work the trap line.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell