Healing Circle Run/Walk

Tina Van Zile graciously shared her photos and thoughts from the Healing Circle Run/Walk that was held in Mole Lake a couple of days ago.

“The Day started with the Tribe providing breakfast for everyone, followed by a Talking Circle. Tribal Elder Frances Van Zile started the walk from the Cultural Building, past the historical marker, and ending by the Housing Building. Then the rest of us traveled to Highway 8 and Highway 45 (in Monico) and we picked up where the Lac du Flambeau walkers ended. Our journey was from Monico to Lac Vieux Desert Old Indian Village.

“My small crew signed up for four miles. So, we started off the walk in Monico and we walked our four miles, then another group signed up for the next amount of miles (it differs depending on how many people each vehicle has). So, of the roughly 30 people walking or running, 50 miles were covered.”

“I try to walk every year because I feel it’s important because our community will always need healing, prayers and good thoughts. I’m praying with each step that I take. I start thinking about all our people in Ojibwe country who need our prayers, especially my family members. Also, I think it’s important to bring my summer youth and my granddaughter, so they get to experience different cultural events. When I was walking with my granddaughter, we talked about how we should pray and think nothing but good thoughts for all our Indigenous peoples.”