Deer Lake First Nation Walk for a Dialysis Machine Walkers Arrive in Winnipeg

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and Deer Lake First Nation Chief Roy Dale Meekis expressed congratulations to a group of walkers from Deer Lake First Nation who are set to arrive in Winnipeg this afternoon at the end of their journey to raise money to purchase a dialysis machine for their remote community.

“I congratulate these courageous walkers who have trekked all the way to Winnipeg to raise awareness of the health care needs in remote First Nations and I thank them for their outstanding efforts to improve the lives of the members of their community,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “Many First Nations lack access to dialysis and other vital health care services, and members of Deer Lake and other remote communities are forced to leave their homes to receive life-saving treatments.”

The Walk for a Dialysis Machine walkers will arrive at Deacons Corner on Highway 1 at 5 p.m. (EST) today.

“High rates of diabetes and the lack of local access to treatment has caused a desperate situation in our community. Our members who suffer from diabetes are forced to leave home for treatment and many never return,” said Deer Lake First Nation Chief Roy Dale Meekis, who travelled to Winnipeg to greet the walkers. “The ability to have dialysis at home would greatly improve the quality of life for our community members and I am proud of these walkers for their efforts to increase First Nation access to much-needed health care services.”

Walk for a Dialysis Machine walkers Eric Nothing, Mark Meekis, Donna Meekis, Jocelyn Nothing and Eva Nothing travelled from Deer Lake First Nation to begin their walk from Red Lake located approximately 550 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. They started walking on August 10, 2015 and have made their way across western Ontario into Manitoba to raise awareness and funding to purchase a dialysis machine for their First Nation.

Note to Media: Contact for the walkers is Marcus Meekis (807) 633-4732.

More information on their journey can be found at:
www.facebook.com/pages/The-walk-for-a-Dialysis-machine

For more information please contact: Michael Heintzman, Director of Communications – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (8070 625-4965 office or (807) 621-2790 mobile or by email mheintzman@nan.on.ca

NT5