DELMAS — Walkers arrived in Delmas after a 40-kilometre awareness trek from LIttle Pine First Nation at approximately 5:15 p.m. during an extreme heat warning.
Organized by the Little Pine Residential Survivors Group, the second annual walk to the former site of the Thunderchild (St. Henri) Indian Residential School Site was held in memory of the children who attended the school.
A pipe ceremony was held followed by supper.
After the meal, Councillor Matthew Frank from Little Pine First Nation started the presentations.
Chief Donny Ironchild of LIttle Pine First Nation had opening remarks which included a welcome to everyone, greetings from LIttle Pine FN and introduced the organizing team.
Celine Pewap talked about the spirit and intent of the Delmas walk. Then a two-minute and 15-second moment of silence signifying the 215 unmarked graves found in Kamloops last year was observed.
Nicole Bull introduced the entertainment for the evening, which were children dancing in their regalia.
A variety of guest speakers spoke of their experiences in residential school and one spoke on healing.
Gavin Baptiste gave the closing remarks and there was a closing prayer to finish the evening up.
