Walking for the Future 7 Generations

Generations of Akwesasronon came out on the dreary morning of Saturday September 29 to partake in the 6th Annual 7 Miles for 7 Generations Walk/Run-a-thon, which took place at the Tewathahita Walking Trail in Hogansburg. Participants collected pledges in the weeks leading up to the event to benefit the Diabetes Center of Excellence Construction Fund, a long awaited dream for all in Akwesasne affected by the disease.

The walk/run-a-thon began at 8:00am with healthy snacks, bottled water and a nutritious lunch provided by the Let’s Get Healthy Program. Over 70 community members came out to show their support by walking, running, and cheering each other on as the day went by. There was even a station where people could stop to get their blood pressure and blood sugar levels checked. With every complete loop walkers and runners received a ticket stub, which they could choose to enter into drawings for some terrific prizes, including a number of bikes and kitchen supplies. Approximately 12 laps round the outside of the trail represented 7 miles. “I came out to support the new center,” said Dorothy Cole, “I did not pledge but I donated. I walk here every day and I enjoy it.”

This was the second year that the 7 Miles for 7 Generations fundraiser has been held at the Tewathahita Walking Trail. “It is nice to see everybody and cheer them on as they walk around,” said Heather Pontius, Registered Dietician for the Let’s Get Healthy Program, and one of the organizers of the event. In previous years, the event was held along a 7 mile stretch of roads in Akwesasne starting at the St. Regis Mohawk School in Hogansburg.

Construction on the Diabetes Center of Excellence began in 2011 and is currently ongoing. Participants in this past weekend’s event found motivation in the sound of construction equipment coming from the adjacent plot, which is the site of the new diabetes facility. The building itself is designed to be a one-stop-shop for Diabetes care. “I think the new building will be more convenient for all people with diabetes,” predicted Millie Cook, “They will have machines and nurses, all those team players to lift patients spirits to keep going.”

At the end of the day, many miles were walked and $4,100 was raised. The idea started as a simple fundraiser to assist with efforts in making the dream of a Diabetes Center of Excellence into a reality. It has since grown into a community event that is anxiously anticipated by those looking to “Walk Strong Against Diabetes.”

The walk had prizes they were raffling off, as well. For each lap the participants completed they received one entry in the raffle. For prizes there were 2 adult and 2 children’s bikes, as well as 4 kitchen appliances.

Participating in the walk, Former Chief Barbara Lazore celebrated her 74th birthday by completing her 7th mile. Some of the participants completed more than the 12 laps, with one pair, Lola Sawatis and Linda Jordan completing 25 laps in all!

There were refreshments and food waiting for the participants once they had finished walking. The people who completed their walk had their choice of soup and sandwiches, and beverages like coffee and tea.