All along the way we will be:
Raising awareness
Paddling in solidarity
Seeking to bring about change. My Gokum (grandmother) comes from Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope) and my Jomish (grandfather) is from Thessalon First Nation. I have spent much of my life learning about the history of the First Peoples in Canada. However, the lack of education upon this subject has become more alarmingly a
pparent to me as I have grown older. It is with great passion that I carry the desire to raise awareness for the past and present struggles of the Indigenous population of Canada and do my part in helping those who are facing challenges far greater than my own. Currently, I am pursuing an education in Social Work at Algoma University where I hope to further my skills and knowledge in helping and advocating for Indigenous families and communities. Upon the discovery of many grave sites at former residential schools, I was faced with a question. “What could I do?”
My name is Lue Mahaffey and I am not Indigenous. Fourteen years ago I learned about the untold history within Canada. Until that point I was ignorant about what transpired between Canada and the First Peoples. Since then, my life’s work and ongoing desire is to be a bridge between Indigenous and non-indigenous communities. The distrust, and lack of historical education, along with the present realities facing Canada and the First Peoples concerns me deeply. As a white Christian woman I feel a sense of responsibility with the injustices many Indigenous people have faced through the Residential School System and overarching racist ideology. Upon hearing about the graves being discovered, my heart grew burdened for what was awakening within Canada. I began to see how in order for many Canadians to go deeper in understanding the atrocities that took place in this Nation, many Indigenous people have had to relive the heartaches and traumas experienced. I knew I wanted to do something more to raise awareness, and also provide a tangible action of standing in solidarity with the Indigenous People I love and care about…
I met Lue Mahaffey when I was eight years old. I was attending the summer day camp at Thessalon First Nation. From the time I met her, I have always admired her kindness, wisdom, and selflessness. She is one of my biggest role models and dearest friends. Over the past eleven years we have shared in our passion for the outdoors. Lue was the person that taught me how to paddle and it is something that I have carried with me. I met Paige Simon when I was 24 years old. From the moment I met her I felt a special connection. She possesses a deep passion in her heart matched with an incredible strength of spirit. My times with her became some of my favourite moments in Northern Ontario. She truly is a unique young woman who I feel deeply honoured to call my sister and friend. Our friendship reminds us that change is possible and that division does not have to remain when we come together with humility, respect and love. We want to see change in Canada. This is what birthed the idea “Canoe For Every Child ”.
