September 8 2024 – September 21 2024 Pugwash to Halifax
“We have to learn to think in a new way. We have to learn to ask ourselves, not what steps can be taken to give military victory to whatever group we prefer, for there no longer are such steps; the question we have to ask ourselves is: what steps can be taken to prevent a military contest of which the issue must be disastrous to all parties?” Russell Einstein Manifesto 1955
Introduction and Background to ‘Walking Together for Peace”
In the summer of 2023, Voice of Women for Peace held a retreat in Ontario to help dream about and plan the pathway to strengthening the organization’s future as a voice for peace. What action could be undertaken ‘to learn in a new way? The seeds of a peace walk from Pugwash to Halifax were planted, and Lyn Adamson (VOW co-chair) and Dr. Jill Carr-Harris (Ekta Parishad) began the journey of shaping “Walking Together for Peace.” Addressing the climate crises goes hand in hand with disarming the nuclear weapons arsenal and choosing peace over war. This idea of hope shaped itself into the act of walking. Involving youth, educators and communities en route in the vision to reimagine the Pugwash story of disarmament and a peaceful future.
Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace took on the task of organizing the route, overnight accommodations and events in communities and schools in collaboration with the Ontario team. It was clear to the Nova Scotians that coming together for nuclear disarmament and climate justice on a global scale is tied to community issues of security and wellbeing. Sharing local Mi’kmaq history and African Nova Scotian experiences with participants was essential for the local organizers. Peace means moving towards understanding decolonization and reconciliation in Mi’kma’ki. Peace means understanding the historic need for reparation implementing innovative possibilities, such as land trusts in African Nova Scotian communities.
And so, the call to reawaken the Pugwash story and shed the light of peace on nuclear disarmament became a commitment to walk 200 kilometres and more organizations came on board to support the vision. Lia Holla led the secondary education initiatives and as Executive Director of the International Physicians on the Prevention of Nuclear War, she was instrumental to the success of the peace walk. On to Ottawa Peace Caravan organizer, Ellen Woodward (co-chair WILPF)and Joy Masura with others from British Columbia joined and shared their experiences and skills in logistics en route.
Walking the Walk
From beginning to end we were accompanied, led, smudged, prayed for, and guided by Grassroots Mi’kmaq Water Protectors. Darlene Gilbert, Thunderbird Swooping Down Woman opened the walk at the Kjipuktuk/Halifax launch with a smudge and words of welcome to the territory. Dorene Bernard shared the water ceremony both in Pugwash and with students at the high school, as well as walking with us. Marian Nicholas and Amy Maloney participated and led the walk through their territory. The peace walk joined the Justice for Iggy – Walk for Awareness on Sunday, September 15th with the Sipekne’katik community and shared a meal.
The number of organised events was excellent for such a short time span including the BusStop Theater launch (audience of 60); the Dalhousie School of Sustainability tabling event (reached over 100 students); Local Council House of Women hybrid event; Antigonish and Pugwash. Community members provided wonderful dinners- notably at the Family Resource centre in Truro – Maggie’s Place and by Brahma Kumari friends at Carroll’s Corners. The DownTheMarsh Land Trust land opening and blessing was a highlight for the celebration of justice and peace in the context of the historic community rebuilding housing security for African Nova Scotians.
As part of preparation for the walk, participants watched the film ‘There’s Something in the Water” giving them a clear view of Environmental Racism in Nova Scotia. Ann Verrall’s film “Phyllis and the Lady Bugs” was included in an evening that rounded out a visit to the site of the Treaty Truck House and the Residential School in Shubenacadie. Phyllis and the Ladybugs is the story of Mi’kmaq Elder Phyllis Googoo’s journey from 1948 as a frightened 4-year-old at the Shubenacadie Residential School in Nova Scotia, (the only residential school in Atlantic Canada) to sharing her story of survival with the Pope in Rome in 2022. We experienced day of rest and rejuvenation at Grassroots Grandmother Amy Maloney’s home in Sipekne’katik.
Conversations about peace and disarmament in schools are being shaped by the political agenda in this country. Despite the hesitation in some of the schools, persistence paid off and we had wonderful sessions in classrooms. Who wouldn’t enjoy the experience of a Raging Granny combined with at Buddhist monastic sharing their visions of peace? The two high school visits, organized by Lia Holla were energetic, informative and extremely well received. Lia’s enthusiasm and excellent scripting brought the theme of nuclear disarmament to Pugwash HS and Auburn Drive H.S., Dartmouth. Peace Walkers and members of the Education Committee (Alley McDonald, Linda Kalafatides and Jane Watson, kathrin winkler) shared their expertise on disarmament to students as well.
Elementary School Visits (Ann Verall, Samten Chodron, Ikeda and kathrin) included Wallace Elementary; Enfield Elementary and Le Marchand – a total of 6 presentations were given for six different classes. The sample activity was a letter describing the importance of peace addressed to the PM (photo below). Over 100 letters were presented to Senator Marilou MacPhedran. Students were given peace cards from the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace which they kept as a keepsake. Some participants felt that the most extensive connection was in the schools.
Gratitude
Individuals, churches, community centres, Ummah Mosque, Maritime Sikh Society, Vedanta Ashram Society, communities in Halifax, Antigonish (The People’s Library, Sisters of St.Martha), Pugwash (Thinker’s Lodge, Peace Hall), Sipekne’katik, DownTheMarsh Land Trust Truro (Dr. Lynn Jones), Maggie’s Place, were the foundation that made this walk possible.
Support for ‘Walking Together for Peace’ came from Canadian Voice of Women for Peace; Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom(Canada); Jai Jagat International; Science for Peace; Canadian Pugwash Group; Canadian chapter of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons; Peace Quest; Reverse The Trend, and Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace.
Critique
Were we a team where individuals were valued for their knowledge, skills and lived experience, thus enabling us to achieve our potential in order to make the maximum contribution to our venture? It didn’t always feel that way. What we did achieve was historic and moving, but it is important for us to learn from the problems that arose. Communication and expectations were challenging and because of the intensity and demand of the walk there were gaps that resulted in unintended harm.
Articulating the vision of a walk focused on ‘nuclear disarmament’ (urging Canadians to ‘sign the TPNW’) within the context of Mi’kma’ki/Nova Scotia’s geography and history remained a source of tension between local, national and international participants during the 12 day experience. Logistics, safety, food, media concerns and lodging left little space for community building, communication and shared decision-making. Understanding what it meant to have the honour of Grassroots water and land Protectors leading us through their territory placed the lofty goals of decolonization at our feet in real time.
Reaching for international acclaim through the connection to India and the solidarity walks was important. Yet an equal sharing of people’s experience and engagement did not happen. Despite the fervent drive for improved media attention (which impacted participation) our media coverage when all was said and done was in fact excellent. Exposure to the impact of colonization en route emerged due to issues that came up during the walk. We still have a lot to learn about what real decolonization requires. Marian articulated this as she brought us to her community and said that ‘our nuclear bomb is the loaded gun aiming at us when we open the door to a wellness check.’
Resolution
Through the walk, many have made deep connections. Samten, Yogesh, Ikeda, and Nitin are walking for peace from Seattle to San Francisco. Some of us are protesting DEFSEC, the second largest weapons trade fair in Canada taking place in the first week of October here in Halifax. Lia, Rooj, Luke and Masa are sharing their amazing gifts in new contexts. Chris is off to Chile celebrating years of community health work. Jayne and Lyn will be back in the big smoke working for change as is Sue in Antigonish. Joy, Ellen, Jill, Rajaji are moving mountains for peace from Edmonton to Vancouver and beyond – wherever they are. Jase and Ann are bringing art and vision to the preservation of those moments that need not fade for any of us!
In conclusion, the lessons that the TRC upholds can apply to our peace work, because one cannot occur without the other. Here from a letter shared by Peace walker, Joy Masuhara :
One of the Principles of Reconciliation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is: “Reconciliation requires political will, joint leadership, trust building, accountability, and transparency, as well as a substantial investment of resources.”
When we learn these principles and act on them, surely we can then bring those skills forward to preventing harm and protecting life on this beautiful planet. Listening to Rooj Ali here in Ann Verralls beautiful interview is an inspiration for moving forward!
Gratitude to the Peace Walkers. Let’s hold the essence of the setting sun and the rising moon that shared their gifts with us as Marian drummed us to rest and nourishment on this land.
kathrin winkler
Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace
Lyn and Amy
kathrin and Ikeda
Rajaji and Jill
Joy, Ellen, Samten and Marian