Indigenous Police Officer launches challenge to Police Services for national walk
For Immediate Release:
December 22, 2017
Indigenous Police Officer launches challenge to Police Services to walk for Youth Mental Health
GARDEN RIVER, ON— Anishinbek Police Services Police Sergeant Kevin Redsky and the Anishinabek Police Service, will be leading a walk across Canada in 2018. The national walk for youth mental health campaign will launch online on Friday, December 22, 2017 to kick off the campaign leading up to the walk.
Beginning on the east coast on April 1, 2018, while the west coast portion begins on May 15, the walk will bring police officers and youth together to show youth that police can be proactive and supportive of their well-being. The west and east coast walkers will walk to Winnipeg, Manitoba where the walk will be completed in August 2018.
“Walking for youth dealing with mental health issues, is our way to show youth we aren’t the bad guy, but we care for them and want to be active in supporting the life changes that youth, families and communities need,” says campaign founder Kevin Redsky. Adding, “Through this initiative that will promote healthy lifestyles, self-empowerment and strength in continuous change, youth out there will know that the negative images of police don’t apply to all of us, and that we are dedicated to protecting and caring for our communities.”
The national walk and its partner Strength in Continuous Change are excited to issue a challenge to Indigenous and non-Indigenous police services across the country to join in the walk as the walk travels through Canada along the Trans Canada HIghway. Sergeant Redsky is also challenging officers to become active in the national walk fundraising campaign to support youth mental health initiatives. A national advisory has been formed and planning is underway.
Strength in Continuous Change is a culture-based resource designed for Indigenous youth, parents, families and communities to be active in the lives of youth struggling with mental health issues and/or live in high-risk situations. Offering youth mental health programming and support existing youth mental health networks, Strength in Continuous Change values culture and language as the vehicle to self-empowerment for youth, their families and communities.
With initial support from a number of organizations and police services from across the country, the national walk will work with First Nations, Indigenous communities and youth groups to get youth involved in the walk. A national celebration is planned for the culmination of the walk in Winnipeg in August 2018. Stay tuned for further details.
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Contact Information and Media requests:
Roots & Rights Media: 807.464.2929,
rootsandrights@gmail.com
Sponsor and Donor Contact:
Kevin Redsky, Founder, National Walk for Youth Mental Health, 807.464.2226
walkforyouthmentalhealth@gmail
