Luther Alexander is a member of the Pine Creek First Nation.
His partner, Samantha Powderhorn, is from Tadoule Lake, which is a fly-in First Nation. Earlier this month, Luther and Samantha arrived at The Forks in Winnipeg after a 15-day journey from Thompson to Winnipeg on foot.
The nearly 800-kilometre trek was a part of their H.O.P.E. movement. H.O.P.E. stands for healing overcomes past experiences. Luther and Samantha aimed to raise awareness for Northern communities where conditions are not up to par compared to many other communities in the province.
"There isn't much for people to do in some of these Northern communities," said Alexander. "I'm seeing people kicking stones. With not much support from outsiders, you can get tied up in drugs and alcohol quite easily when you're bored."
While the Pine Creek First Nation has a road in and out of the community, Alexander knows they're more plugged in. He does, however, know there are still problems.
"It seems to be getting worse. With that in mind, we wanted to raise awareness and bring attention to that," said Alexander. "There were forest fires when we decided to do this walk, but we stuck with it. We need to create some awareness on this situation, rather than focusing on all the bad that revolves around it, like crime."
The further you go in the province, the more isolated you are.
"Hopefully, we've got some people on board with thinking preventative or more holistically, as opposed to crime and punishment," commented Alexander.
They began their journey on August 17. They arrived at The Forks to a line of half a dozen drummers who played the beat and welcomed Luther and Samantha into the Oodena Celebration Circle on Sunday, August 31. It was International Overdose Awareness Day.
"It was pure elation, we made it. We just came 770 kilometres from Thompson running and walking," said Alexander. "They caught it on camera when I was hugging her. When Samantha started hearing the drums, she got very emotional. When we arrived at the Circle, it was amazing to see the reception."
Alexander firsthand knows of the struggles of Northern Manitoba First Nations. His brother passed away in the fall after drifting away from the family. He was a graduate of Kelvin High School, and Luther says he was a star.
He won a scratch ticket fresh out of high school and then got into drugs and alcohol. Years later, Luther received a call from Health Sciences Centre asking if he was the Next of KIN. His brother got a cut on his foot and didn't tend to it for a month due to the complications of his mental health and past substance abuse. He had no identification and hid from his family.
"He could have been anyone. He had a great future ahead, but then you end up becoming pretty much invisible without identification," ended Alexander. "Getting caught up with undiagnosed mental health and swept up with the addictions of it all. I know it's just not me; there are thousands of families in the same situation. It hits home for me. I knew I had to do something."
Alexander says the only way to get stronger is by creating a village of support. It takes one person to lift another person, and that spreads. If anyone is struggling, there is help; you are never alone.
