Reflections of 2023: Tréchelle Bunn, Dakota Law Student, SCO Youth Chief, and Indigenous Volunteer of the Year for 2022

February 12, 2024

Tréchelle Bunn, a Dakota law student at the University of Manitoba and Youth Chief of the Southern Chiefs' Organization (SCO) Youth Council, has been instrumental in promoting healing, education, and reconciliation within her community. As an intergenerational survivor of the Indian Residential School System, Bunn was deeply affected by the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops residential school in May 2021. Inspired by her grandparents, survivors of the Birtle Residential School, she organized a Healing Walk in July 2021, covering 26 km from the former Birtle Residential School to her home community of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation.

This symbolic walk aimed to honor residential school survivors and the children who never made it home. Following the success of the Healing Walk, Bunn transformed the event into the Reconciliation Run, Canada's first official run for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a half marathon that follows the same route as the Healing Walk. Bunn believes in the healing power of movement and hopes the event will bring people together from different communities in the spirit of reconciliation. The run welcomed participants both in person and virtually, allowing broader participation.

In honour of her remarkable dedication and contributions, Youth Chief Bunn was honoured with the prestigious Indigenous Volunteer of the Year Award for 2022 by the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council.

Nominations for this year's award are open until the 28th, highlighting the opportunity to recognize individuals who continue to make meaningful impacts within Indigenous communities through their volunteer efforts. Visit our Awards page and take a moment to acknowledge difference makers in your community today.

View More