It was an emotional day in the Queen City as hundreds of residents made their way through the downtown streets of Regina in a memorial smudge walk.
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The gathering was a day of mourning for those lost to addiction and suicide. It was originally started last year by Pamela Belanger in honor of her son, Vernon, who died of an overdose on January 21, 2021, at the age of 35.
Now Smudge Walk will be organized every year on 21 January. Smudging involves the burning of sacred herbs and is a ceremony performed by some indigenous peoples in the Americas. It is meant to purify or purify the soul.
The names of the fallen were printed on purple butterflies as family members carried them through the streets.
Global News was there to capture the day.
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Pamela Belanger and her family lead the Smudge Walk and awareness campaign through the downtown streets of Regina, as it was the death of her son that started the journey.
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Residents of all different races and backgrounds were in attendance on Saturday, as each of them celebrated and mourned the community members who passed away.
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The names of the fallen were printed on purple butterflies that were carried by family members down Broad Street and up Victoria Avenue to Victoria Park.
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The walk followed a truck where three indigenous men sang a song in honor of those who died of suicide and overdose.
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The message organizers spread throughout the day was: “Love will heal us.”
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Families of all ages can be seen coming together after a full day of mourning.
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At the front of the walk, smudging happened to heal people.
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Shylo Stevenson, a member of the Queen City Wellness Pharmacy community, held a feather throughout the walk in remembrance of a fallen member of her own family.
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As the walk returned to the Queen City Wellness Pharmacy, emotions were overwhelming for everyone involved.
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The Smudge Walk ended with a feast at the Queen City Wellness Pharmacy, where everyone was treated to soup, bannock and more.
Andrew Benson / Global News
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