| MS.
JONES: |
I rise in this House today to pay tribute to the amazing
feat of Michel Andrew of Sheshatshiu, Labrador, who just
spent five weeks in the Labrador wilderness walking to
raise awareness around diabetes.
Mr. Speaker, for Michel Andrew, known as Giant, his
300 kilometre walk through Sheshatshiu to Natuashish
began with a dream involving his grandfather, who was
known to help others. In his dream he was walking with
his grandfather, breaking trails for others, and he knew
that his dream had a message. His reaction was
immediate, "I want to walk to create awareness
about diabetes," he said, and so began the planning
of his personal journey.
Mr. Speaker, his journey continued for five grueling
weeks through storms and rugged terrain, and as he made
it further north his fan base grew. Giant has received
attention across the Province and country for his walk.
He has met diabetes survivors and sufferers along the
way. He became not only an inspiration for those
suffering from diabetes but also to his fellow Innu, as
he set out to complete a journey once familiar to their
own ancestors and grandparents.
He was met by many supporters in the communities
along the way and attended a supper held in his honour
in Hopedale. His journey ended in Natuashish with nearly
400 people on hand to greet him.
Mr. Speaker, I had hoped to be in Natuashish but
unfortunately due to circumstances I could not attend,
but his hometown of Sheshatshiu also held a day and
night of events to honour Michel’s Giant
accomplishment.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join
with me in recognizing Michel Andrew and his
extraordinary journey to raise awareness around
diabetes, especially diabetes in our aboriginal people,
and to connect to his ancestral history of the Innu
people of Labrador.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. |
