Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Community members wishing to support local cancer patients and their families made the 2nd Annual Akwesasne Cancer Support Group 5-Mile Walk/Run twice as popular as it was in it’s first year. Approximately 160 people walked the 5-mile route around Tsi Snaihne (Snye) after leaving from the main headquarters at the Snye Recreation. By 11 a.m. more than $10,000 had been raised. Final tallies won’t be calculated until next week.

The Akwesasne Cancer Support Group formed about three years ago and has developed into an organized non-profit group with officers and members. The group was formed by some survivors of cancer as well as some who were battling the disease at that time. They wanted to form a strong circle of support for everyone in Akwesasne affected by the disease.

The group offers emotional support but also some financial support for which fundraising has been required, hence the creation of the walk.

Walkers convened at the Snye Recreation at 8 a.m. and did warm-ups with Micki King before starting west on the route up River Road, left onto Snye Road, left onto Border Road, straight onto McDonald Road, left at Wade LaFrance Memorial Road and one last left back onto River Road before returning back to the Snye Recreation.

Bunny King and daughter Layla.

Along the way walkers had lots of support. A wagon followed the walkers offering chairs for anyone needing a rest; other vehicles looped around the group of 160 offering rides back to the Snye Recreation or other assistance; some community members set up stations near their homes, like the Sunday family who gave out fruit and had a portable restroom for walkers to use.

The first 100 participants received a free t-shirt commemorating the walk but organizers based the t-shirt order on the number of walkers who took part last year – which was 75. Still, each walker received a sticker to fill out the name of someone they wished to be walking in support of. Free water was available as well as cancer support pins.

Next week, the Akwesasne Cancer Support Group will submit additional details about the walk and the total pledges received.

Photos by Shannon Burns and Diane King