Deb Hikes Newfoundland: Chicken & Boots Bursary
I am a university teacher in Carleton University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, located on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory.
As a 52-year-old mum of many, I am what you might call an #unlikelyhiker. With my #BootsOnTheTrail and my community behind me, I am solo thru-hiking Newfoundland to support students who have experienced homelessness.
The Goal: Raise $11,000 for the Chicken and Boots Bursary
- $11,000 represents $10 for each kilometre I will hike.
- This amount also symbolizes the cost of tuition, student fees and books for one year of university learning.
About the ESP/IESP Chicken and Boots Bursary
The Chicken and Boots Bursary is distributed through the Enriched Support Program and Indigenous Enriched Support Program (ESP/IESP)
The bursary was the idea of Charlotte Smith, who was a graduate student at Carleton University. Smith named this bursary in memory of Chicken and Boots, two homeless youth who passed away in Ottawa. This bursary supports students who face adversity, such as homelessness, and still want to go to university.
Charlotte's work exemplifies the community values I weave into my lessons and lectures. Indeed, don’t wait for someone else to take the lead when you see a chance to make a change; others will follow.
I am happy to follow Smith’s lead, building on her community practice.
My Newfoundland Thru-Hike: 1100 kms or so…
As a first-time visitor and non-Indigenous guest, I will be walking across the unceded and ancestral homelands of the Mi’kmaq and Beothuk peoples. While I will not get a chance to see Labrador this summer, I recognize that the original peoples of Labrador are the Inuit of Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut and the Innu of Nitassinan.
June 1: The First Steps
- I begin my thru-hike at the Cappahayden Trailhead of The East Coast Trail northbound to St. John’s, Newfoundland (300 KM)
- Then, from St. Johns, I will step off at Mile 0 of the Trans Canada Trail and head southwest to Port Aux Basque. (884 km)
The Myth of the Solo-Hiker: Join Me!
Even the solo hiker needs their community to pull this off. I can't do it alone.
As I put my #BootsOnTheTrail, I need others to place their bets on an #UnlikelyHiker, to chip in to support the #ChickenandBoots bursary.
You can support this campaign by:
- Make a tax-deductible donation to this GoFundMe campaign.
- Share pictures of yourself hiking in June, in solidarity, with the hashtags #ChickenAndBoots and #BootsOnTheTrail
- Share this campaign with your friends, families and community members
Follow me without getting blisters!
Instagram @Thu_tiful
Twitter @Thru_tiful
Facebook: Deb Hikes Newfoundland Chicken and Boots Bursary
Instagram @Thu_tiful
Twitter @Thru_tiful
Facebook: Deb Hikes Newfoundland Chicken and Boots Bursary
Organizer
Deborah Landry
Organizer
Nepean, ON
CARLETON UNIVERSITY
Beneficiary