Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation

Friday, May 29

5:30 PM – Launch Event and Group Walk

We will gather at the Fort Langley National Historic Site to listen to a welcome and opening remarks. (Arrive between 5-5:30 to find parking.) After the opening, we will do a 2.5 km group walk from the Fort to the Kwantlen First Nation long house.

Locations:

• Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Ave., Fort Langley

• Kwantlen First Nation Cultural Centre (longhouse), 23907 Gabriel Lane, Fort Langley

6:30 PM - Kwantlen First Nation Longhouse Dinner & Reconciliation Engagement
We will gather for a meal in Kwantlen’s Cultural Centre (longhouse) and engage in a reconciliation session, remembering the history of Indigenous peoples and the TRC and listening to stories shared by Kwantlen Indigenous people.

Dinner will be provided.

Location: Kwantlen First Nation Cultural Centre (longhouse), 23907 Gabriel Lane, Fort Langley

Note: If you are unable to participate in the group walk from the Fort Historic site to the longhouse, transportation will be provided for this learning/sharing event. Also, you are welcome to drive to this learning/sharing event.

Saturday, May 30

Day of self-guided walks on the original route and solidarity walks in various locations.

11 AM-1 PM Cedar Weaving workshop led by Gracie Kelly

We will be hosting a cedar weaving workshop. Gracie will walk us through how to create a cedar bracelet and shares about the uses of cedar.

Registration Limit: 30 people

Snacks and Refreshments available

Location: Mt Lehman United Church, 6256 Mount Lehman Road, Abbotsford

Note: The church has a small parking lot, so you may have to park along the side of the road in front of the church.

Sunday, May 31

1:00 PM – Indigenous Place-Based Group Walk – We will gather at Fraser River Heritage Park for an Indigenous Place-Based Learning session about St. Mary's IRS led by Patti Victor. She will guide and teach us as we walk to significant sites at Fraser River Heritage Park and along the back path to Pekw’Xe:yles Reserve (the former St. Mary’s Residential School). This is a 1.5 km walk.

Locations:

• Fraser River Heritage Park, 7494 Mary St, Mission

• Site of St. Mary’s (former IRS), now Pekw’Xe:yles Reserve, 34110 Lougheed Hwy, Mission

2:30 PM - The Reconciliation Journey...Moving Forward Together session

This session is focused on topics important to understanding how to move forward in reconciling relationships with Indigenous peoples. We will gather to hear some opening remarks, then split into three groups to listen to an Indigenous speaker and come back together to hear a few reflections on each topic. The topics will focus on:

• Social Justice and Systemic Issues - Darla Peters, Sts’ailes Nation Justice Coordinator will share about her work and steps towards addressing systemic issues.

• S’ólh Téméxw: Returning to the Wisdom of Our Relative - Andrew Victor, Sexómestel, will share about relating to the Land as a living relative to whom we owe our life and responsibility.

• Rooted in Relationship: Grounded in Truth - Patti Victor, Switametelót, will share her personal journey, learning to walk with Jesus, grounded in the Word of God while rooted in relationship with Holy Spirit, Stó:lo teachings and practice, and living in community in S’olh Téméxw.

Snacks and Refreshments available before session

Location: Chapel building at the site of St. Mary’s (former IRS); now Pekw’Xe:yles Reserve, Mission

Note: You can do the group walk from Heritage Park to St. Mary’s or just drive there for the Reconciliation Journey session.