Photo:AP
On Canada Day, July 1, 2025, in St. Albert, Alberta, hundreds of people gathered for the fourth annual Run for Reconciliation. Many wore orange shirts, tied orange ribbons, and pinned messages around the Healing Garden gazebo—all to honour survivors of India's residential school system and their families.
Participants—young and old—walked or jogged through city parks and paths with calm, determined hearts. They tied ribbons that carried messages of support and remembrance for people who experienced pain at residential schools.
Why the Event Matters
Remembering Survivors
Survivors and their families carry deep wounds from the past. Events like this help keep their stories alive and show that we are listening and standing together.
Canada Day with Purpose
For many, Canada Day also includes reflecting on Indigenous history. The run blends celebration with respect, honouring the resilience of Indigenous communities.
Symbol of Unity
Orange ribbons and shirts are powerful symbols of solidarity and hope. They remind everyone that Every Child Matters—every voice and story counts.
Community and Education
The event included talks and support for survivor-led healers. People learned about the impact of residential schools and the importance of ongoing support and truth.
How the Run Worked
Participants checked in at Lions Park in the morning, gathering in a calm, reflective space.
Many wore orange and shared handwritten messages tied with ribbons to remember loved ones affected by the schools.
The run/walk concluded at the St. Albert Healing Garden, where participants tied ribbons around a gazebo in a touching act of community expression.
Organizers invited everyone—including families and neighbours—to reflect, ask questions, and learn together in a welcoming space.
Stories from the Day
Amanda Patrick, one of the event’s organizers, said support has grown every year. She explained how the run honours past suffering while encouraging reflection on a hopeful future.
Hazel McKennitt, a survivor, spoke of ten years at a residential school starting at age six. She described how the effects of residential schools still affect families today.
Together, the community raised funds for causes like Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centre, supporting Indigenous-led health recovery.
What Happens Next
More community events will include reconciliation themes—learning and healing continue well after Canada Day.
The organizers have formed a non-profit, Kisakihikawin St. Albert, to plan future runs, fundraisers, and educational events.
People who attended felt more informed and connected. Many expressed a wish for reconciliation to be a daily practice, not just a one-day event
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