No Child Should
Have to Take the Long Way Home is a
grassroot initiative to help children in need of loving care, of a protective
and stable environment to meet their basic needs in a safe house in their own
community. Children, mothers and communities are the object of this
project No Child Should Have to Take the Long Way Home. After all, every child is born with the right to have
a better chance at a life free from abuse and violence.
The goal of this project is to raise awareness about this situation and to look for funds for a safe house, an actual place in an Inuit community where the children could feel at home when they needed protection, a place that would prevent them from being moved out of their community, throughout their territory or in other cases, elsewhere. That way, fewer of them would find themselves outside their family and/or community. By law, the DYP must intervene, but if the safe house was part of the solution?
Animated and guided by responsible Inuit (not all responsible parents can take a dependent child in their home), this solution would have an educational component in its mission for both children, parents and communities.
A need of education for the prevention of violence
In my view, protecting children and giving parents additional tools must become a priority. Parents and all family members must work together to learn how to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.The steps of my project
To start my project, I met professionals in my community in social work. I was asked to fill out a document for a presentation to interested persons to get involved. Colleagues, including social workers, have demonstrated their interest in this project.2014-The search for support
Then I started looking for support. To this end, I was advised to write to two people who have an interest in children as well as having power. Both letters were posted November 12, 2014. No answer from either which tells me that I need to start even more. Indifference is not an option.Interesting Groups to discover
When I first started researching around my project, my research oriented me towards groups that share the same spirit and ideas as myself when it comes to the well-being of children.In the week of November 10, 2014, a friend promised to follow me in his SUV on any road across Canada. Later on, he had to renege himself due to severe health problems.
People I know and friends promise they will walk with me for a distance of several kilometers.
The week of November 17, in addition to writing an introductory lecture on the subject of the Inuit people, I chose a few stories and legends that transcend the known stereotypes to help an audience to discover Inuit culture. I try hard to not betray the spirit as I tell these stories.
Logistical advice were given by my two Inuit contacts. Their trust in me means a lot to me and I know I can count on them as I reach my goal to tell me where I stand with the Inuit community..
The week of November 24, my best girlfriend kindly offers me to do "a long way" with me; furthermore, she offered the possibility of another form of collaboration within a group of women (The women's circle of Beloeil). On top of that, she will accommodate me whenever I am in the center of Quebec.
On December 9, my friend Eva, both an Inuit and an Eastern Townships resident, gave me several ideas that I will put to good use to fund my project. She was happy to tell me that she would join me for 20 km when I arrive in the Eastern Townships. In addition, she listened to the idea of my project and found that it made sense for the children of the North community. She claims I would be viewed as the grandmother of the village. Her words touched my heart. When you know what is the grandmother among Inuit, it is heartwarming.
The route takes shape
My attention then focused on my itinerary. I consulted my expert friends to determine which road I would take. They have traveled the route several times over, by car, of course. For logistical questions, I will cross larger centers to have the opportunity to give conferences which aim to raise funds and maybe will have people volunteer to walk with me for a while.March 2015: A volunteer offers me transportation and a place to sleep in his trailer when I get in Alberta. There are eight more volunteers to reach for the same service.
June 2015: The person who gave all his time to make it possible to blog devises an understandable road map of my journey.
July, August, September, October and November 2015: these months were devoted to meeting mayors of towns bigger than 15,000 people to obtain marketing support.
In July 2015, there was a meeting with CEO Boyd McBride of SOS Children Village to explore a model of care.
In October 2015, there was a meeting in Quebec City with an Inuit Women's Organization, Saturviit, to obtain a collaboration.
In October 2015, the Deputy Pierre Reid helps by giving me 250 envelopes and postage stamps.
In November 2015, my meeting with the mayor Bonin allows me to understand first the functioning of cities as he promised me an article in the Voix de l'Est when "I retrace my steps" through Granby on my trek of 8000 kilometers.
Second stage-My route as of April 2016
British Colombia
Prince Rupert, Smithers, Fort Fraser, Prince George, Victoria, Chemainus, Duncan, Nanaïmo, Coquitlam, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Princeton, Merritt, Kamloops, Salmon Arms, Sicamous, GoldenThis has been in the "making" since April 9th, 2016 as I arrived in Prince Rupert. On the Island of Vancouver since April 28th, the launching of my walk took place on April 29th in Victoria, BC.
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