For the past four years, on Sept. 30, hundreds of people make the trip to McDougall Stoney Memorial Church along Hwy. 1A, just west of Cochrane while continuing to build stronger relationships with neighbours, and working towards reconciliation.
The annual Every Child Matters Truth and Reconciliation Walk is a cherished tradition where people of all ages gather to honour and remember residential school survivors, as well as those who did not make it home.
Organizer, Eve Powder said it's incredible to see how much the walk has grown in such a short time.
"When we first started, it was another community member when they first found those babies out in Kamloops, we did a walk on July 1 four years ago and then after that we did the Sept. 30 one. I didn't expect it to grow, I just thought it would be maybe a few people coming out here and there."
The event typically sees between 200-300 people and Powder is hoping for an even larger crowd this year.
"We're going to be doing a Pipe Ceremony and the community will get to experience that. We'll also have Elders there to talk about their experience in residential schools."
Organizer Sue Rau said this event provides an opportunity for Cochrane residents to connect in a meaningful way with our neighbours.
"It's important because, you know, these are our neighbors down the road, and there should be some connection there. There should be some friendship, there should be something happening and this is a great event."
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The event will begin with a prayer at McDougall Church at 10:45 a.m., followed by the walk at 11 a.m.
The walk is approximately 2.8 kilometres and takes about 30 minutes.
There is limited parking on site and event goers are asked to take a shuttle bus from The Station in Cochrane or from the arena in Mînî Thnî.