Rae Edzo (Jun 19/06) - To the sound of cars honking and traditional drums, a group of women completed their walk from Yellowknife to Behchoko June 10.

About 60 people participated in the two-day relay, which spanned 30 hours of walking. A group of 20 people was always marching, but each person was replaced every few hours.

Sandra Lockhart, a survivor of abuse, spoke about her experience before the march and participated in the event. She said she walked an eight-hour stretch on the second day, as the group arrived in Behchoko.

"It was gruelling, and it brought back a lot of memories: not just physical pain, but emotional pain."

In addition, she said the walk was very symbolic, because participants encouraged each other to keep struggling, saying "we're almost there." She said this reminded her of the long road to recovery which faces victims of abuse, and how great progress can be achieved in small steps.

When the group arrived in Behchoko June 10, it was joined by a large group of people. Marie Speakman, a longtime Yellowknife victim services worker who inspired the event, said she was overwhelmed by the community's welcome.

"People were honking their cars, clapping, we even heard drumming as we approached," she said.

After this, about 150 people attended a barbecue in front of the Behchoko cultural centre. "It was a very long journey," she said. "But it was simply awesome."

The event, organized by the Status of Women group, is scheduled to repeat next year.