It was an emotional day within the Queen City as tons of of residents made their method by way of the downtown streets of Regina in a memorial smudge stroll.
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The gathering was a day to mourn those that have been misplaced to addictions and suicide. It was initially began final 12 months by Pamela Belanger in honour of her son Vernon, who died of an overdose at age 35 on Jan. 21, 2021.
Now yearly on January 21, a smudge stroll will likely be held. Smudging entails the burning of sacred herbs and is a ceremony practiced by some Indigenous peoples within the Americas. It is supposed to purify or cleanse the soul.
Names of the fallen had been printed on purple butterflies as relations carried them by way of the streets.
Global News was there to seize the day.
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Pamela Belanger and her household led the smudge stroll and consciousness marketing campaign by way of the downtown streets of Regina, because it was the loss of life of her son that started the journey.
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Residents of all totally different ethnicities and background had been in attendance Saturday, as every one among them celebrated and mourned group members who’ve handed away.
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Names of the fallen had been printed on purple butterflies that relations carried down Broad Street then onto Victoria Avenue to Victoria Park.
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The stroll adopted behind a truck the place three Indigenous males sang a music to honour those that have died from suicide and overdoses.
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The message organizers stored spreading all through the day: “Love will heal us.”.
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Families of all ages may very well be seen collectively after a tough day of mourning.
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At the entrance of the stroll, smudging happened as individuals look to heal.
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Shylo Stevenson, a member of the Queen City Wellness Pharmacy group held a feather all through the stroll, as he remembered his personal fallen member of the family.
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As the stroll returned to the Queen City Wellness Pharmacy, the feelings had been heavy for everybody concerned.
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The smudge stroll completed with a feast on the Queen City Wellness Pharmacy, the place everybody was handled to soup, bannock and extra.
Andrew Benson / Global News
