Day of Honouring Walk held to remember Indigenous ancestors
March 30, 2026, 10:34 am
Stephanie Zoer
In 1901 the people of Pheasant Rump were forced to leave their land and made to live on White Bear.
Mostly women and children packed what they could hold and walked on foot through the foothills of Moose Mountain, with the assistance of a few horses. Some of them carried babies while others where elderly.
The weather was bitterly cold and snow remained on the ground. It was a grueling walk that started on March 21, and they arrived in White Bear three days later.
In 2018 a motion was made to recognize March 21 as a Day of Honouring. It was signed by Pheasant Rump leadership and since then the walk has taken place each year, except for the year of shutdowns.
This year on March 21, the walk once again took place. It started in White Bear, setting off at the break of dawn. They travelled south on Highway 9 until they reached Highway 13. They followed Highway 13 until they reached PRNFN. The walk is 45 kilometres and took them eight hours to complete.
To ensure the safety of the people walking, they were escorted by the RCMP. Vehicles were also in tow for those who could no longer walk or needed a place to warm up. This luxury was not something the people had in 1901.
This year the walk was a little different. For the first time, all three chiefs—White Bear’s chief Jonathan Pasap, Ocean Man’s chief Ernest StandingReady, and Pheasant Rump’s chief Ira McArthur—along with several band members did the long walk together to remember what their ancestors had to face.
For Juanita McArthur-BigEagle, it made her think of her late father, Mac, and she also thought of the others who had passed way.
“Many of them carried the weight of the forced amalgamation their whole lives,” said McArthur-BigEagle. “They would have been pleased to see our nations walking together, choosing unity and reconciliation.
“By walking in their footsteps, we reflect on the hardships they faced and the strength and resilience they carried forward,” said Chief Jonathan Pasap. “The journey of reconciliation with all our treaty partners continues, and there remains much work to be done together.”
Chief Pasap went on to say that it was an honour to walk alongside Chief StandingReady, and Chief McArthur, and the community members in remembrance.
“All people are welcome and encouraged to join us in next year’s walk,” said Pasap.
Chief Ira McArhur said that as always, the primary focus of the walk is to commemorate the ancestors of Pheasant Rump and Ocean Man, most of them being women and children.
“The illegal sale of the Pheasant Rump and Ocean Man reserves and forced amalgamation with White Bear in 1901 changed the lives of the members of three Nations,” said Chief McArthur. “It is a history that is important not only to our nations but to the southeast region of the province as well.”
In 1986 there was a settlement agreement between White Bear and Canada which led to the re-establishment of PRNFN and OMFN in 1990.
Ultimately, the walk is to honour their ancestors, and also for reconciliation and healing amongst the Nations.
“This walk is a personal sacrifice for each walker, some of whom fasted for the duration, and pushed themselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in their own way,” said McArthur.
He is thankful to have been able to walk with the other two chiefs during this time.
When they arrived at PRNFN they gathered for a feast and continued their recognition by gifting star blankets and stories. They felt that the weather was reasonable with some light fog in the morning and a light breeze.
They plan to continue with this tradition in years to come and hope that other communities will join in.
