Walking Fourteen Days For Grandparents Rights
Saturday July 15, 2005
Cranberry Portage to Winnipeg, Manitoba

Dear Friends,

On Saturday July 15, 2006 I Kookum (Grandmother) Marlene J. Carriere, will be leaving Cranberry Portage with two young people to embark on an important walk to Winnipeg, Manitoba and I need your help. As it approaches, it becomes more and more urgent that our community take the time to give generously to this cause.

Walking Fourteen Days For Grandparents Rights is an initiative started by myself to help gain recognition for the rights of grandparents in the raising of grandchildren. I will be walking with two grandchildren, an 11 year old and 13 year old over the two week duration. An invitation has been sent to all the communities in Manitoba to join us in the walk. I need assistance in providing the children with all that they will need on this journey. Financial donations can be mailed to: GRANDMOTHER/GRANDFATHER WALK: 46 TOLCROSS GATE; Winnipeg, Manitoba R3Y 1M1. Also, an account has been set up in the name of Grandmothers/Grandfathers Walk. Donations can be made at any Scotiabank. Remember that any amount is helpful in promoting the message:

"It is important that people understand the role of the grandparents in a family, in the community and in the lives of our grandchildren. In today's world, the role of the grandparent is diminished and that is wrong. If there is one thing that First Nation cultures ca teach Canadians, it would be the importance of valuing Elders and the experience that have collected."

The vision of the walk is to bring forth the role grandparents have in the lives of grandchildren at any age, especially when the granchildren's experiences are unhealthy, such as parents going through a divorce or separation, children experience any form of abuse and teenagers trying to navigate the choppy waters of pre-adulthood.

"It is important for us to remember that the children are the most important treasure that we have. We need to make sure that the children are taken care of. In this busy world, it is time for the Elders and grandparents of all nations to step forward and make sure the future generations are being tended properly."

I hope that you are able to find it in your hearts, as grandparents, parents, daughters and sons to give generously for the sake of the children.

Sincerly,

Marlene J. Carriere
Kookum