Walk for Reconciliation draws hundreds of Calgarians despite stormy weather
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Almost 200 Calgarians braved the stormy weather this morning to walk in support of National Indigenous People's Day.
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The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland held its 16th annual Walk of Reconciliation Saturday, leading the cold, wet trek from the Harry Hays building on 4th Avenue S.E. to Fort Calgary.
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Despite the strong winds and pouring rain, participants were more than happy to don their ponchos and support the cause. With folks hesitant to stop for a breather, the walk was far more brisk than previous years — taking less than half an hour.
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'I really enjoyed the walk. I'm soaking wet and I'm cold, but I really enjoyed it and I would do it again,' said walker Nadia Hussein. 'And when I think of the purpose of why we were there, it was really motivating to get out today and motivating to see the community as well.'
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'Last year we had almost 500 people come out [on a Friday], so we were really excited to see how many people would come out on a Saturday when people weren't having to go to work,' said Rebekah Jarvis, director of community engagement at the Confluence. 'We were still really impressed with the turnout. People chose to come out, and chose to make the walk, even though it was really uncomfortable.'
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The Confluence welcomed participants out of the rain and into the upper barracks to hear a variety of speakers as well as drumming and dancing ceremonies. A livestream event was held at the Burnswest Theatre to accommodate those who couldn't make it to the barracks.
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Indigenous speakers included Charlotte McLeod, Audrey Weasel Traveller and Dr. Maurice Manyfingers.
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'One of the great things about the speakers today is that they're not just speakers — they're walkers. They're people who walk the walk, and talk the talk,' said Keestin O'Dell, Indigenous student engagement strategist at Bow Valley College's Iniikokaan Centre.
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Calgary Herald
9 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Walk for Reconciliation draws hundreds of Calgarians despite stormy weather
Article content Almost 200 Calgarians braved the stormy weather this morning to walk in support of National Indigenous People's Day. Article content The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland held its 16th annual Walk of Reconciliation Saturday, leading the cold, wet trek from the Harry Hays building on 4th Avenue S.E. to Fort Calgary. Article content Article content Despite the strong winds and pouring rain, participants were more than happy to don their ponchos and support the cause. With folks hesitant to stop for a breather, the walk was far more brisk than previous years — taking less than half an hour. Article content Article content 'I really enjoyed the walk. I'm soaking wet and I'm cold, but I really enjoyed it and I would do it again,' said walker Nadia Hussein. 'And when I think of the purpose of why we were there, it was really motivating to get out today and motivating to see the community as well.' Article content Article content 'Last year we had almost 500 people come out [on a Friday], so we were really excited to see how many people would come out on a Saturday when people weren't having to go to work,' said Rebekah Jarvis, director of community engagement at the Confluence. 'We were still really impressed with the turnout. People chose to come out, and chose to make the walk, even though it was really uncomfortable.' Article content Article content The Confluence welcomed participants out of the rain and into the upper barracks to hear a variety of speakers as well as drumming and dancing ceremonies. A livestream event was held at the Burnswest Theatre to accommodate those who couldn't make it to the barracks. Article content Indigenous speakers included Charlotte McLeod, Audrey Weasel Traveller and Dr. Maurice Manyfingers. Article content 'One of the great things about the speakers today is that they're not just speakers — they're walkers. They're people who walk the walk, and talk the talk,' said Keestin O'Dell, Indigenous student engagement strategist at Bow Valley College's Iniikokaan Centre.
CTV News
12 hours ago
- CTV News
Wet walkers brave the rain to Walk for Reconciliation
Confluence president Jennifer Thompson said the Walk for Reconciliation was on for Saturday despite heavy rain and wind. The Walk for Reconciliation took place Saturday morning despite the dreadful weather. Saturday morning, in a rainy, wet interview that took place near the Harry Hays building downtown, Confluence president Jennifer Thompson said that while the walk can be expected to draw upwards of 500 people on a sunny day, the figure would probably be less than half that Saturday. 'Still a couple hundred we're hoping for,' Thompson said. Torrential rain and high winds are forecast for Calgary throughout the day Saturday, with between 40 and 80 millimetres of rain expected to fall. It was the 16th annual Walk for Reconciliation on National Indigenous Peoples Day. Thompson said the walk was a tribute to those who endured much worse than a rainy Saturday. 'Even though the weather is bad, this isn't half as traumatic as what survivors experienced in residential schools,' she said. 'So we can endure the weather today and have the walk in honour of them.' Following the walk, Thompson said a gathering that was planned for The Confluence has been moved indoors. 'There will be free bagged lunch, as well as a program that has dancers, drummers and speakers,' she said. Thompson also paid tribute to the wet walkers who showed up to participate. 'We're so grateful for all the people who have come out today,' she said. 'We're thankful for the partners -- the Aboriginal Friendship Centre -- Trellis Society and The Confluence have working for years and years to make this (Walk for Reconciliation) happen.' For more about The Confluence, go here. The Confluence is also featuring an exhibit that showcases Blackfoot life and culture called Kípaitápiiyssinnooni (Our Way of Life). Saturday, admission to The Confluence is free.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Calgary Herald
Full steam ahead for Neighbour Day despite rainfall warning
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