Staff members and faculty from St. Thomas More College walked in support of reconciliation on Friday, June 21, 2019
Staff members and faculty from St. Thomas More College walked in support of reconciliation on Friday, June 21, 2019

Walk for Reconciliation draws huge support

The fourth annual Walk for Reconciliation drew thousands of supporters on June 21. People of all ages turned out to mark National Indigenous Peoples' Day and to recognize the sacrifices and resilience of Residential School & Day School Survivors, Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Sixties Scoop Survivors.

Members of the STM College community came together on Friday, June 21 to participate in the National Indigenous Peoples Day Rock Your Roots Walk. 
The event, now in its fourth year, drew thousands of people from all walks of life. The walk began in Victoria Park and made its way past the Saskatoon Farmers Market, around the Gabriel Dumont Statue, and along the Meewasin Trail beside the South Saskatchewan River. Along the way, cultural groups performed to showcase the diversity of Canadian society. 
At the conclusion of the walk, aboriginal Elders, leaders, veterans and survivors of residential and day schools and the Sixties Scoop shook hands with participants.
It is one of the five pillars of the STM College Strategic Plan to endeavour to build mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations as we work to create opportunities for faculty and staff to become familiar with First Nations’ and Métis cultures and increase their confidence in cross-cultural settings, to work toward Reconciliation by addressing in a respectful, sensitive way the troubled history that exists between Indigenous communities and the institutional church, and continuing to develop positive and enriching relationships with Indigenous leaders/Elders, communities and groups in Saskatchewan.
Look for information about next year's walk, and consider joining the STM contingent at the walk. All are welcome!

Reconcilation Saskatoon Website

The Walk for Reconciliation has grown exponentially over four years, drawing many thousands of participants in 2019
The Walk for Reconciliation has grown exponentially over four years, drawing many thousands of participants in 2019

STM Campus Minister Michael MacLean greets a Metis Elder at the conclusion of the Walk for Reconciliation
STM Campus Minister Michael MacLean greets a Metis Elder at the conclusion of the Walk for Reconciliation

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