Hundreds take part in St. Albert's annual Run for Reconciliation, organizer says support growing
'There's been so much support — right from the first year,' Amanda Patrick, who helped organize the fifth annual Run for Reconciliation in St. Albert, Alta., said on Tuesday.
'We gather every year (on) July 1 — on Canada Day — to honour the past before we celebrate the future.'
Patrick said the run has seen about 400 people take part each year, ever since the event was started in the wake of human remains being found using ground-penetrating radar searches near residential school sites. This year, Patrick said more than 500 people took part in the run, which began in St. Albert's Lions Park and ended at the St. Albert Healing Garden.
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'We walk and run in … remembrance of those who attended Canadian residential schools as survivors and those that live with intergenerational trauma,' she said.
Many participants who took part in the walk or run wore orange shirts, the colour having become a symbol of reconciliation and showing respect for residential school survivors. Many people's shirts had the words 'every child matters' printed on them.
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'I'm very happy to be here today for this event and recognizing the people and the stories of this land that I live (on), love and grew up on,' James Rossmann told Global News when asked why he decided to take part. 'I think that's super important.'
Hazel McKennitt, a venerated teacher, community volunteer and activist in the Edmonton area, has been actively involved with the run since it began and was there on Tuesday.
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McKennitt said she spent 10 years attending a residential school from the age of six until she was 16, and said she believes the impacts and legacy of residential schools are still very evident today.
'Child welfare is still an extension of residential school,' she said. 'The trauma is still an extension of residential school, and it's going to continue if we don't tell the truth about residential schools and what happened.'
Patrick said that not only has the event seen more support each year, but the people who put it on are becoming 'more and more organized,' and have started a non-profit organization called Kisakihikawin St. Albert.
The non-profit is raising money through the run this year for the Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centre, an Indigenous addiction treatment centre.
Patrick said the City of St. Albert has also been offering more and more support for the run each year.
'It's become a staple in a lot of people's lives for Canada Day,' she said. 'We have a lot of participants who say this is part of their day now.
'I think events like this offer a space where participants can learn about reconciliation, be in a space where they can ask questions and not feel judged … walk away with more knowledge and understanding of how they can have reconciliation in their life and what they can do going forward.'
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Montreal Gazette
2 hours ago
- Montreal Gazette
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National Observer
2 hours ago
- National Observer
Wildfires spark demand for Indigenous fire stewardship
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Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
The gift of giving
East Kildonan Keith Saunders has known hard times. Perhaps that is what motivates the former Canadian and world champion to feed people in need. Several times every year, Saunders, master instructor and owner of Saunders Taekwondo Academy at 350 Dowling Ave. E, prepares and serves meals to visitors at Siloam Mission. Together with his students, he serves up to 300 people each day. His latest meal was served on June 22. Saunders said his work often takes him past Siloam Mission. He said his heart went out to the people in line. Supplied photo Keith Saunders, master instructor and owner of Saunders Taekwondo Academy (350 Dowling Ave. E), prepares and serves meals to visitors at Siloam Mission throughout the year. One time, he saw a woman he knew in the line. She had left an abusive relationship and was starting over. 'My heart was broken; I had to stop,' Saunders said. 'From that time on, I made a plan to share whatever I have with these people.' Those plans began modestly. Saunders would take food from work parties, get folks to chip in, and shop for a little more. He prepared dinner at home and served it at Siloam Mission. 'I think it's necessary to do,' Saunders added. 'One time, I figured it cost me two bucks a person. I fed 250 people for $500. That's not bad.' For June 22's menu, Saunders cut a deal for 50 pounds of fresh pork and made stew and sandwiches. He added 300 eggs, 100 hamburgers, 100 hot dogs, potato chips, Rice Krispies cake, banana bread and water. He needed a rental truck to transport the feast. Part of the ethos at the Saunders Taekwondo Academy is self-improvement, both physically and mentally. Saunders encourages his pupils to give their time and money. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. Over the years, Saunders has seen several people he knew in line, including cousins. He also knows that he could have easily been one of the hungry himself. In the early 1990s, Saunders was beginning his plumbing career and was struggling to find work. His truck broke down, and he struggled to pay his living expenses. 'I couldn't ask for help,' he recalled. 'I was hungry and desperate for four or five months. I was thinking about eating dog food. I know what it's like to be hungry. I don't want these people to go to bed hungry. We can all help them with food and water.' Saunders said the need is all around us. He's helped students' parents with groceries. At Christmas, he mobilized his crew, and they delivered a hamper containing $1,500 worth of groceries to a Ukrainian newcomer family. Through his taekwondo connections, he's delivered necessities to people in Cuba. 'It's hard for me to walk away,' Saunders concluded. 'I want my students to know the gift of giving, to show them stronger people with bigger hearts. I truly believe it comes back to me.' Tony ZeruchaEast Kildonan community correspondent Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@ Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
