AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron join in for the smudge walk. Photo by Joel Willick.
Several hundred people gathered in Saskatoon on Tuesday morning for an inaugural smudge walk.
A similar smudge walk has been happening in Regina for the past several years and Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron says he wanted to bring the event to Saskatoon.
He hopes everyone who was at the smudge walk found optimism and healing.
“We have all lost loved ones, we have loved ones who are battling sickness and we have loved ones battling addictions,” said Cameron. “This walk is about healing together and supporting one another on this journey while we are here alive and well.”
According to the FSIN Chief the plan is to bring these types of walks to cities and communities across the province.
“Eventually that’s the plan,” said Chief Cameron. “The majority of our First Nation membership live in the towns and cities in Saskatchewan, so we have to offer this types of events for our urban First Nation members.”
Several dignitaries and community members were on hand for the smudge walk including a surprise visit from AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde.
Chief Bellegarde thanked those in attendance and spoke on his support for traditional ceremony.
Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield says she was happy to see the big turnout for Tuesday’s walk.
“It’s fantastic,” she said. “We have done this in Regina for a few years and it is growing every year, so I am hoping that’s what happens in Saskatoon.”
After a walk through one of Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods, the smudge walk ended with a community barbecue at a local community centre.