Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation

Join us May 30, 31 & June 1, 2025 for the 10th Annual Walk

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples - the S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) peoples, specifically sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Kwantlen, Leq’ á:mel, Màthexwi, Semiahmoo and Whonnock First Nations

2025 Group Walks and Events - scroll down

  • WALK

    Walk in a group or with family & friends or in solidarity at your own location. There are routes for various skill levels from Fort Langley to St. Mary’s.

    View routes here

  • LEARN

    What was the Residential School System? Throughout the walk we invite you to take time and learn about the journey.

    Learn More

  • SHARE

    Journey with others towards reconciliation by learning and walking together.

    Learn More

2025 Events

Friday, May 30

5:30 PM – Launch Event and Group Walk

We will gather at United Church-St. Andrew’s Chapel in Fort Langley for a welcome and opening remarks. (Arrive between 5-5:30 to find parking.) After the opening, we will do a 2.3 km group walk from the church to the Kwantlen First Nation long house.

Locations:

  • United Church-St. Andrew’s Chapel, 9025 Glover Rd, 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 with each other about personal and collective meanings of reconciliation.

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 church 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 31

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

12 PM - Refreshments and Welcome

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

12:30 PM - Indigenous Plant Walk

We will gather to go on a 2.1 km Indigenous Plant Walk from the church to Douglas-Taylor Park. Muriel Victor from Cheam First Nation will identify and teach us about plants along the way.

Locations:

  • Mt Lehman United Church, 6256 Mount Lehman Rd, Abbotsford

  • Douglas Taylor Park, 30801 Harris Rd, Abbotsford

Note: Drive to the church for the afternoon Indigenous plant walk. Limited parking is available at the church.

3:30 PM - Sacred Spaces session by Darla Rasmussen (Blackkette), Red Elk Singing Woman from Siksika Nation

A session about the values system implemented in ceremonies and traditional practices. We will gather around the big drum to listen to stories Darla will share with us.

Location:

  • The Gathering Church, 2285 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford

Sunday, June 1

1:00 PM – Group Walk – We will gather at Fraser River Heritage Park to hear Sto:lo Historian, Sonny McHalsie, share the history of St. Mary’s IRS. We will walk together along the back path to Pekw’Xe:yles Reserve (the former St. Mary’s Residential School) taking time to talk and pray for reconciliation as we 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 – TRC Calls to Action - Gathering of Lament and Hope

A session to mark the 10th anniversary of receiving the TRC 94 Calls to Action. Recognizing what has been done and what hasn’t been done, and how to journey forward together in hope of what can be done.

Join us in creating a Reconciliation Action Plan!

Location: TBA