Saskatoon follows steps of Regina with smudge walk
- Andréa Ledding | October 06, 2016
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations organized their first Saskatoon smudge walk in the Pleasant Hill and Riversdale areas, something that has been done in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood for a decade.
“We’re looking at smudge walks in all the communities we can reach,” noted Chief Bobby Cameron at the program held in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on 20th Street, saying he believed the walk would grow significantly in size from the relatively small gathering of about 100. “It’s about healing together, it’s about supporting one another on that healing journey. Many of us are going through some difficult times. We have loved ones who are in hospital, we have loved ones who are in jail, we have loved ones who are on the street, we have the missing and murdered Indigenous woman inquiry. Many of us have various reasons why we need to take that healing journey together.”
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Cameron was joined by other dignitaries which included National Chief Perry Bellegarde, MLA Jennifer Campeau, upcoming Advocate for Children and Youth Corey O’Soup, and the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Vaughn Solomon Schofield. Cameron noted that they hadn’t intentionally chosen the Sister in Spirit vigil date but encouraged people to attend that evening event as well. Darlene Okemaysim-Sicotte spoke on the evening vigil, saying that she had come to the smudge walk for healing as well, because of the hard emotional work with murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls and their families.
Bellegarde noted that he was not only supporting the vigils and walks, but also back to support the families of First Nations veterans Henry Beaudry and Edward Baldhead who had passed.
Cecile Smith, president of the Pleasant Hill Community Association, thanked everyone for the prayers and leadership.
“Thank you for coming to this smudge walk today. We organized a smudge walk last year,” said Smith, noting they had similar cold weather, and stressed what a great and welcoming neighbourhood they had. “We have 600 First nations kids in this community and we’re hoping we can pave the way for them.”
Smith noted that although the neighbourhood had challenges and issues, the people themselves were very good people and she was proud to call this area home.
A truck with singers and drummers led the walk through the neighbourhood with the smudge bowl, staff, and flags leading the way.
The walk, which began in St. Mary’s Community Schoolgrounds, circled through several blocks of the neighbourhood before ending at the Parish Hall where a complimentary barbeque lunch was served to several hundred.