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IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Suntanned and a little sore, six women successfully returned from a 13-day trek across the Coronation Gulf, and in the process exceeded their fundraising goal for cancer research and treatment.

Edna Elias and her sister, Jeannie Ehaloak, along with Donna Olsen-Hakongak, Elisabeth Hadlari, Jamie McInnis and Janet Brewster, left Umingmaktuuq on May 7 and reached Cambridge Bay, nearly 250 km away, on May 19. Crystal Qaumariaq was originally scheduled to participate in the Women in Action, Steps of Hope walk, but pulled out as she is expecting a child in August.

Reached in Iqaluit, Elias, also Nunavut's commissioner, said they walked on average 21 km daily but had to stop for two and a half days because of weather.

"It was the most exhilarating to see the crowd on the sea ice as they were having their Omingmak Frolics and it was so good to see we were just a mile away when we came over the last hill," she said. "My knees are still a little tender, but other than that I'm back to normal."

Ehaloak said having sunshine on their last day walking was a blessing.

"We had cloudy periods the whole walk until the very last day. It's like the heavens knew it was our last day so they gave us a beautiful day," she said.

The women raised money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation to support the Edmonton Cross Cancer Institute and breast cancer research.

Elias said they raised $76,700, but corporate donations are still coming in so the final total is yet to be tallied - but she knows they've surpassed their $80,000 goal.

The women came back emotionally and spiritually heightened, said Elias. She added they were also mentally challenged but they worked things out for the betterment of the group.

"It was not just for the benefit of us six walkers but we really wanted to raise awareness (that) the health of each and every individual is within our own hands," she said. "Even simple exercise like walking and leaving the car at home and walking to work is great exercise towards a healthier lifestyle, physical fitness."

The women would walk for someone different every day, said Ehaloak, adding the journey brought many solitary moments.

"A lot of healing, a lot of thinking, making you realize the little things are not as important as the big huge things - your family, your friends, how you live your life," she said. "I am glad I did it. It was very positive. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the ladies; they were great company, very friendly. The guides were amazing."

Elias said she approached women in the Kivalliq to see if they were interested in doing the event in their region. She added she hopes Women in Action, Steps of Hope becomes an annual event.

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