Manitoba First Nations leaders encourage a holistic, healthy lifestyle at ‘Movement is Medicine’ event

The inaugural “Movement is Medicine 5K Walk/Run” kicked off at Kildonan Park Wednesday, encouraging First Nations members and the community at large to get active.

“We wanna encourage our people to get moving because movement really is medicine. We want them to get the blood flowing,” said Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Chief Angela Levasseur, one of many Manitoba chiefs who came to the walk.

“I see people of all ages, all walks of life because wellness, healing. Minobimaadiziwin is not just a First Nations concept, it’s a universal concept.”

Chief Levasseur chose to skate the five kilometres instead of walking them.

“I’m hoping for the best and I’m glad Chief BlueSky is here because if I get hurt he’ll take me to the nearest hospital,” she said.

“That’s right,” answered Chief Gordon BlueSky of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.

Chief BlueSky says his people used to move an average of eight to 15 kilometres a day “in average traditional times.”

“And the society that we live in today doesn’t really allow for that,” he said. “We have to make effort, we have to make space like we are today.”

Walter Wastesicoot, Grand Chief of the Keewatin Tribal Council, also took part in the event.

“It’s important for me to be here to help motivate others to get active,” he said. “I don’t do enough of it myself, so I have to admit that first and foremost. Sometimes I’m gonna do for myself and hopefully motivate others to do the same.

“I’m ready to walk. I might run, I have done some running in the past. I was up to five minutes walking and five minutes running, so see how it goes today.”

For First Nations in Manitoba, staying active isn’t only about physical health; kinesiology student Frederick Kosomolak says it’s about healing in all ways.

“We all have to be strong,” said Kosomolak, who added the human body was like “medical equipment.”

“We have to combat these chronic diseases. We have to combat addictions. We have to combat substance abuse, and this is where it starts.”

The artist behind the event’s logo, Angus Campbell, came to the run with his wife and two children as they all keep up a healthy lifestyle. He’s a marathon runner and health is very important to him.

“The inspiration was health and medicine and movement,” Campbell said. “Just being active and promoting physical activity to help everyone to live a healthier life.

“I started running five years ago and I’ve ran in like, multiple events. 5K is a short run. I usually run 7Ks, so it’s pretty good.”