The Journey of Nishiyuu (“The Journey of the People” in the Cree language) was an extraordinary 1,600 km winter walk undertaken in 2013 by young members of the Cree Nation from Whapmagoostui First Nation in northern Quebec. The trek began on January 16, 2013, when six Cree youth — 17‑year‑old Stanley George Jr., 17‑year‑old Travis George, 18‑year‑old David Kawapit, 19‑year‑old Johnny Abraham, 20‑year‑old Raymond Kawapit, and 21‑year‑old Geordie Rupert — set out on snowshoes with their 49‑year‑old guide, Isaac Kawapit, braving winter temperatures as low as –50 °C. Their aim was to support Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike and bring attention to broader issues facing Indigenous peoples in Canada, including the violation of treaty rights, marginalization, and socio‑economic challenges.

The idea for the journey came from David Kawapit, whose vision of a wolf and a bear — the wolf representing First Nations peoples and the bear symbolizing government — inspired the walk as a symbol of unity and shared strength. As the group followed traditional Cree and Algonquin trade routes southward toward Parliament Hill in Ottawa, many other walkers — youth and supporters from various First Nations — joined them. By the time the group reached Ottawa on March 25 after 68 days on the trail, their numbers had grown to over 200 walkers, including children as young as 11 who joined along the way.

The response to the journey was powerful and widespread. Thousands of people welcomed the walkers at Parliament Hill with cheering crowds, drumming, singing and a large round dance, while political figures such as Liberal leadership contender Justin Trudeau, Green Party leader Elizabeth May, and NDP leader Thomas Mulcair met them in Ottawa. Although then‑Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose not to attend — instead traveling to Toronto to be photographed with pandas — the walkers were celebrated as symbols of Indigenous resilience and unity.

The Journey of Nishiyuu became both a political and cultural statement: a protest rooted in the Idle No More movement and a reaffirmation that Indigenous culture, language and traditions — and the strength of youth — remain vital in Canada today.