(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

By Abby Zieverink

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day walk/run at Muskossepi Park on September 30

Sep 23, 2021 | 4:26 PM

An Orange Shirt Day walk/run event will be taking place at Muskossepi Park on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Executive Director Miranda Laroche says the event will start at the Muskossepi Park Pavilion at 4 p.m for opening remarks and prayers.

“We’re going to have opening remarks from our President Leonard Auger and opening prayers from our Elder Angie Crear.”

Laroche says the Honour Song will also play at the event before residents head out on the walk along the reservoir.

“During the walk/run, there will be signs that will be placed along the trail, and it will show all of the residential schools, the places all across Canada where the residential schools were.”

In honour of the children found in residential school unmarked graves across the country, Laroche says each sign on the trail will have a number on them to create a visual representation in honour of the children whose lives were taken too soon.

“For example, the Kamloops residential school, it will say 215, to honour the children that were found.”

Once the walk/run is complete, Laroche says those that have registered in advance will receive a medal.

She says there are over 100 people registered for the walk.

“We are full right now for registration for medals, but we welcome anybody to come and participate and to wear an orange shirt.”

Laroche says the option for residents to do the walk on their own has also been made available.

“So that if they don’t feel comfortable through the COVID-19 restrictions, they can do their run/walk on their own as well.”

People are welcome to join together at the Muskosseepi Park Amphitheatre at 6 p.m. on September 30 for a series of Orange Shirt Day events.