A cherished member of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation has passed away.
Branden Emmerson (Enaadmaaget) was a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation who, most recently was known for his walk across Canada to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Emmerson died suddenly in Wawa on June 18th. He was a 38 year old father of two.
Emmerson was a leader of a local group called “Da-Namaamin Moseyang Giw-Ganchigaazjig Kwewag,” or “We Will Walk In Prayer For Those Murdered Women,” (and boys).
Branden Emmerson, alongside core Prayer Walkers Tianna Fillo and Jacqueline Hines set out in December of 2017 from Cape Croker to walk across the country. There were many people who joined them for portions of the walk.
A post on the “Da-Namaamin Moseyang Giw-Ganchigaazjig Kwewag,” Facebook page, where the Prayer Walkers regularly posted video updates of their cross-country walk says, “Through his loving and giving Spirit, Enaadmaaget spoke eloquently about his thoughts and perspectives on being human, politics and living sustainably. He took a strong stance on violence against Indigenous women and was doing his best to find ways to complete the walk across Canada.”
In 2017, Emmerson also spent months as a water protector at Standing Rock in South Dakota in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
He was also a lead walker at home in the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Waterwalk.
In 2018, the Prayer Walkers were awarded the YMCA Peace Medallion in Grey Bruce for their work. The award is given out annually during Peace Week across the country.
One of the founding group members, Carlene Keeshig, who they affectionately call their “Walk Mom,” accepted the medallion on their behalf as the group was on their walk at the time.
Keeshig says Emmerson gave whatever he could, whenever he could do it, “The person that I knew, he was loving and caring and headstrong. He tried his best all the time. He tried to give his 100 per cent and the amount of love and caring that he felt towards other people would just shine every once in a while.”
A family service to celebrate his life was recently held at the Thomas C. Whitcroft Peninsula Chapel.
Those who would like to donate in his memory can do so online at http://itstartswithus-mmiw.com/ or https://standwithstandingrock.net/donate/