Run in the spirit of reconciliation this fall
"As you run, think of the survivors of the residential school system and those who never made it home," says race director Tréchelle Bunn
Photo by:
courtesy of Tréchelle Bunn
Tréchelle Bunn believes that movement is medicine. An athlete, university student and activist, Bunn, 22, is directing the inaugural Reconciliation Run Half-Marathon on Sept. 30 (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation).
Bunn hopes to bring “people across the country together while providing education and a meaningful event to partake in on a day meant for reflection and learning.”
Bunn, who grew up in Wampum, Man., is a proud member of Chan Kagha Otina Dakhóta Oyáte (Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation). She explains the motivation behind her initiative: “Much like the rest of the country, in June of 2021, when I heard about the 215 remains of Indigenous children uncovered at the former Kamloops residential school, my heart sank.”
“As an intergenerational survivor of the Canadian residential school system, the recoveries hit home for me, and I knew I had to do my best to ensure that the conversation surrounding the effects of the residential school system was ongoing,” she adds.
In July 2021, she organized a Healing Walk on behalf of her community to honour our residential school survivors and all of those who never made it home. “The 26 km walk began with a ceremony at the former Birtle Residential School and concluded when we made it home to my community, Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation,” Bunn says.
The walk was powerful for the community, and since the 26 km distance was close to a half-marathon, Bunn decided to bring the event to life again, this time with a run. The event is sanctioned by the Manitoba Runners’ Association.
Both last year’s Healing Walk and the Reconciliation Run were inspired by Bunn’s Kunshi (grandmother) Mildred and Unkan (grandfather) Donald, who were survivors of the Birtle Residential School. The walk was a reclamation of power for Bunn’s community, survivors and their families, and Bunn hopes the run will have the same impact.
“The walk was very symbolic to my community, as it allowed us to willingly and freely walk away from the school in honour of all the children who were denied the opportunity to walk away on their own terms and all of those who never made it home at all,” she says.
If individuals and groups are interested in participating virtually, they can send an email through the website, and Bunn will connect with them to set it up. The virtual run can be any distance and can be run at any time between Sept. 26 and 30. The intention behind the virtual run, as with the in-person event, is to get runners to reflect, through movement, in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
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“To fully run in the spirit of reconciliation, I think it is essential for participants to think of the many Indigenous children who tried and wanted to run away from residential schools,” Bunn says. “Think of survivors of the residential school system and those who never made it home. I think it is also important for participants to read my story on the website.”
“My Unkan Donald, who attended Birtle Residential School, said he wanted nothing more than to just go home when he was there. Unfortunately, my story isn’t uncommon, for many Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island have similar stories and experiences,” she adds.
After costs associated with the run are covered, all proceeds will be donated to the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre in Winnipeg. If an individual or organization is interested in donating to the Reconciliation Run, they can do so by emailing Bunn.
The 2022 Reconciliation Run will begin in Birtle, Man., at the former residential school, and conclude on Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation. Learn more about the Reconciliation Run and register here.
