Elder, member of the Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation, spiritual leader, joker — the list of names goes on for Archie Chantyman in his community; now he adds Medal Recipient.
Archie received one of this year’s B.C. Medals of Good Citizenship for his powerful walking journey of healing and reconciliation in the March with Arch.
The March is an over 700-kilometre walking journey from Archie’s home in Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation, through more than five First Nation territories and Cariboo communities, to the site of the former St. Joseph’s Mission residential school. Archie carries a green backpack on his journey, which he says is filled with the “garbage off the reservation” to help heal the communities.
Despite the positives and the healing that Archie has managed to accomplish with his March, he says there is still negative discourse and challenges within the communities of denialism.
“Even though it [the March and reconciliation] has grown extensively, I still need to reach out to the world and people that residential schools did happen. There are many generations of survivors who are healing,” says Archie. “It’s tough, and a tough struggle. I am just doing what I can at this point, in a way I can.”
“Having the established support directors was a relief because it takes a lot of stuff off me so I can focus on the campaigning, promoting the March with Arch at different events such as powwows, and the healing fires. I can really bring it to people who need the healing.”
The third annual March with Arch starts on September 5, which is also Archie’s birthday. His journey will start in the Lhoosk’uz Dene territory.
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