Hundreds gather in Thunder Bay for the fourth Honouring Our Children Run, promoting community, culture, and reconciliation on September 30th.
Thousands Gather Around Boulevard Lake
Hundreds of participants filled Boulevard Lake on September 30th for the fourth annual Honouring Our Children Run, a community event aimed at fostering inclusion and reflection. Organized by Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, the run has grown steadily since its inception, drawing an estimated 800 to 1,000 attendees this year.
A Vision Rooted in Community
Natalie Paavola, CEO of Dilico, said she envisioned the event as a safe and welcoming space for everyone. “I wanted to create a community event that wasn’t intimidating to anyone and was open and inviting,” she said. Attendees could choose from a 10 km run, 5 km run or walk, a 5 km school run, and a fun run for younger children.
Supporting Children Through Charity
Proceeds from the event benefit the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation, an Anishinabek-led charity established by Dilico in 2009. The foundation provides vital programs and services for children, reflecting the event’s broader mission of community care and cultural preservation.
Honouring Cultural and Spiritual Practices
James Anderson, Dilico’s health and wellness director, emphasized that the run is more than a race. “This is really the journey back, understanding that colonization banned a lot of these cultural practices and the fact that individuals can use these practices to celebrate who they are as people,” he said. The event highlights the role of cultural traditions in promoting personal and community wellness.
A Celebration of Reconciliation
The growing popularity of the event signals a community increasingly engaged in reconciliation and awareness of Canadian history. “It just shows you how this community is pulling together around reconciliation,” Anderson added. Local participant Dustin Gagné, a member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, shared that the energy of the event and seeing smiling faces of both children and adults was “just so exciting.”
A Personal Path for All
Paavola stressed that engagement with truth and reconciliation is a personal journey. “If you’re not on that path, do some research, come and join us next year, and learn about what this day is about, and where it came from,” she said. The event serves as both a physical and reflective experience, bringing people together to honor children, culture, and community resilience.
