Manitoba to Nova Scotia: Indigenous woman completes walk spreading information about residential schools

A year ago, Jazz Lavallee walked from Winnipeg to the Kamloops residential school where 215 unmarked graves were discovered. Now, after three months – she’s completed the second leg of her journey, from Winnipeg to Nova Scotia.

The Indigenous woman from The Pas, Manitoba embarked from a former residential school in Winnipeg on September 1st at exactly 2:15. She then walked 3,600 kilometres in 94 days, with a backpack full of items representing the children who never made it home from residential schools.

Jazz Lavallee, Manitoba Indigenous woman completes walk to Nova Scotia spreading information about residential schools. (Photo Courtesy: Jazz Lavallee)

“Believe it or not there are people out there are people who don’t know what has happened here in Canada, like the trauma that has stemmed from residential schools. I’m starting to understand my place in the world through these walks – we have to acknowledge what happened yesterday to move on to tomorrow with reconciliation,” explained Lavallee.

Through conversations on the road, Lavallee hears the impact she’s having in spreading information about residential schools – but even with that knowledge, the road is tough.

Jazz Lavallee, Manitoba Indigenous woman completes walk to Nova Scotia spreading information about residential schools. (Photo Courtesy: Jazz Lavallee)

“Sometimes when you’re walking on the highway, you wonder if you’re doing the right thing. Like, I know this won’t heal, won’t take that pain away, but if even for a moment it gives relief that there are people here that care – it’s not all for nothing,” she explained.

“I didn’t have a million dollars to give, but I had a million steps to put in.” Adding, “When my feet touched that water, I knew this was the beginning of a whole new journey for me.”

Jazz Lavallee, Manitoba Indigenous woman completes walk to Nova Scotia spreading information about residential schools. (Photo Courtesy: Jazz Lavallee)

Lavallee ended this leg of the walk by meeting residential school survivors on the coast of Nova Scotia.

“It was bittersweet with the survivors that showed up there. Quite a few that met us there, walked into the ocean with us, it was an amazing feeling.”

She says this has become a walk in four directions, she plans to travel north to raise awareness next year, then south to New Orleans in 2024.