Photo: Nishiyuu Walkers head to Parliament Hill

The Nishiyuu Walkers head in the direction of Parliament Hill in Ottawa March 25 on the last leg of their 1,600 trek from Whapmagoostui. The message of their journey: “to prove to other First Nations across Canada that the Cree Nation of Quebec are not sellouts, but keepers of the language, culture, tradition and more importantly; today, we still carry the sacred laws of our ancestors.” The time for unity is now, says their mission statement. Aboriginal leaders and MPs are expected to gather for speeches at about 2:15 p.m. March 25 on the Parliament steps. Among those set to speak: walker David Kawapit, 18, of Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuaraapik, Mary Tuckatuk, the Kuujjuaraapik youth representative, and Romeo Saganash, MP for Abitibi-James Bay-Nunavik-Eeyou. (PHOTO COURTESY OF NISHIYUU FACEBOOK)