Plenty take part in St. Albert’s monthly Run for Reconciliation, administrator says help growing 

Discuss this product on Facebook Share this product via WhatsApp Share this product on Twitter Send this page to someone via email The organizer of an annual Canada Day event northwest of Edmonton, a gathering that focuses on raising awareness about the history and impact of private schools while promoting reconciliation, says it is getting more support than ever. “There’s been so much help — right from the first year, ” Amanda Patrick, who helped assemble the second annual Run for Reconciliation in St. Albert, Alta. , said on Tuesday. “We gather every year ( on ) July 1— on Canada Day — to honour the past before we celebrate the future. ”Patrick said the move has seen about 400 people take part each month, ever since the occasion was started in the midst of animal remains being found using ground-penetrating sensor searches near home school sites. This time, Patrick said more than 500 people took part in the move, which began in St. Albert’s Lions Park and ended at the St. Albert Healing Garden. “We stroll and run in … remembrance of those who attended French private schools as individuals and those that live with familial trauma, ” she said. Some individuals who took part in the walk or run wore orange tops, the color having become a symbol of peace and showing appreciation for private school victims. Many people’s tops had the words “every child matters ” printed on them. “I’m very happy to be here today for this event and recognizing the people and the stories of this land that I live (on ), love and grew up on, ” James Rossmann told Global News when asked why he decided to take part. “ I think that ’s very significant. ”1:54 Run for Reconciliation held in St. Albert on Canada DayHazel McKennitt, a respected teacher, group charity and activist in the Edmonton region, has been actively involved with the move since it began and was there on Tuesday. McKennitt said she spent 10 years attending a private college from the age of six until she was 16, and said she believes the impacts and tradition of private schools are still very noticeable today. Trending Now Motocross racer Aidan Zingg dead at 16 following mid-race accident Elon Musk slams Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill ’ — again — as Congress votes “Child welfare is still an extension of residential school, ” she said. “The trauma is still an extension of residential school, and it ’s going to continue if we don’t tell the truth about residential schools and what happened. ”Patrick said that not only has the event seen more support each year, but the people who put it on are becoming “more and more organized, ” and have started a non-profit organization called Kisakihikawin St. Albert. The non-profit is raising money through the run this year for the Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centre, an Indigenous addiction treatment centre. Patrick said the City of St. Albert has also been offering more and more support for the run each year. “It’s become a staple in a lot of people’s lives for Canada Day, ” she said. “We have a lot of participants who say this is part of their day now. “ I think events like this offer a space where participants can learn about reconciliation, be in a space where they can ask questions and not feel judged … walk away with more knowledge and understanding of how they can have reconciliation in their life and what they can do going forward. ”1:51 Every Child Matters crosswalk unveiled in St. Albert& copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.