NORTH BATTLEFORD — This Friday, July 29, marks the second Annual Walk to Honour Delmas Residential School Students and Survivors.
Members of the Little Pine Residential Survivors Group, along with members of the community, will take part in a 40-kilometre trek to Delmas, the former site of the Thunderchild (St. Henri) Indian Residential School Site.
The school was in operation from 1901 to 1948, before being burnt down and never rebuilt.
According to the Little Pine Residential Survivors Group, the long journey serves as a way to honour both ancestors and students of the Indian Residential School system.
Seven a.m. marks the start time of the event at Little Pine Community Hall, following cultural protocol and a community breakfast. The press release states that the walk will start at 8:30 a.m., after opening words and a smudging circle.
Those who join the walk will have access to nutritious snack stops, water, a midway lunch and an evening meal. At dinner, remembrance will be honoured through stories of survival, a cultural performance and a hand-drumming song.
In the release, the group also states that care for the community and walkers are essential to the team. Mental health, first aid, and security will be provided along the route at all times.
All allies, learners, and relatives of former IRS students are welcome to walk to show their support.
More information on the event can be found on the Facebook page “2nd Annual Delmas Walk. Honouring our Ancestors.”
