Join us for the 9th annual Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation!
We walk on this beautiful land between Fort Langley and Mission, on the unceded territory of the Stó:lō peoples, specifically the Katzie, Kwantlen, Leq’amel, Matsqui, Semiahmoo and Whonnock First Nations.
We recognize that the Stó:lō people have called this place home since time immemorial, and we hope that our walk honours them, their land, their river, their ancestors and their children.
We hope you will join us for any/all of the days, or do a solidarity walk in your own community, as we walk in solidarity and lament of the First Nations brothers and sisters, remembering the traumatic harm done by residential schools for so many generations. As anyone of our human family have been affected, we are all affected.
Friday, May 24:
5:30 PM – Launch Event & Group Walk - We will gather at United Church-St. Andrew’s Chapel in Fort Langley to hear opening remarks for this year’s walk. (Arrive between 5-5:30 to find parking.) After the opening, we will do a 2.3 km group walk from the church to the Kwantlen First Nation long house.
6:30 PM - Kwantlen First Nation Longhouse Dinner & Stories - We will gather for a meal in Kwantlen’s cultural centre (longhouse). Kwantlen member, Tony Dandurand, will share stories about Kwantlen (Sto:lo people) and speak from his heart to the group.
Dinner will be provided.
Saturday, May 25:
10 AM - Group Walk - We will gather at Beaver Creek dyke to hear an opening for the day and do a 12.6 km group walk to the Mt. Lehman United Church. Snack & Refreshments after.
12:45 PM - Indigenous Plant Walk - We will gather to go on a 2.1 km Indigenous Plant Walk from the church to Douglas-Taylor Park. Muriel Victor from Cheam First Nation will identify and teach us about plants along the way.
Sunday, May 26:
1:00 PM – Group Walk – We will gather at Fraser River Heritage Park to hear an opening for the day by Sto:lo Historian, Naxaxalhts (Sonny McHalsie). We will walk together taking time to talk and pray for reconciliation, as we walk along the back path to Pekw’Xe:yles Reserve (the former St. Mary’s Residential School).
3:30 PM - History & Tour of St. Mary’s - Sto:lo Historian, Naxaxalhts (Sonny McHalsie) will share stories about students who attended St. Mary’s. Following his talk, he can provide a tour of the building and surrounding grounds, if requested.
These events are free.
Find details at www.reconciliationwalk.com or to register, click here.