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Elder Jacob Sanderson of James Smith Cree Nation offers a message on World Peace and Prayer Day (YouTube)
message of peace

Local Elder offers message on World Peace and Prayer Day

Jun 21, 2020 | 12:00 PM

A local Elder is offering a message as part of World Peace and Prayer Day.

The day, celebrated on June 21, is an international and intergenerational celebration for people of all faiths, nations, races and ages.

A media advisory from the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) invited the public to observe the day at their own sacred sites as well as in churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, and other places of prayer.

“It’s a time in our life, on the first day of summer – the summer solstice – that is a very spiritual time,” Elder Jacob Sanderson of James Smith Cree Nation said, in part. “They say that at the time the sun is nearest to us in mid-day, that God opened up the heavens to bless everything that He created.”

Also, as part of his video message, Sanderson referenced the protests that were happening around the world regarding the Black Lives Matter movement.

“What we are going through at this time, we pray that people do not harm or hurt themselves. At a time when we see people talking about racism, that we are all together; we live in this world all together, we must enjoy each other to be happy with what gifts we have in life …we need peace amongst all races of people.”

The full video message can be found here.

According to the PAGC media release, World Peace and Prayer Day started in 1996, led by Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, along with his adopted brother and Bundle Carrier Elder Jacob Sanderson and other spiritual leaders of all nations from the four directions.

The 52-day spiritual journey started with runners and horseback riders beginning in Wahpeton Dakota Nation in northern Saskatchewan, and ended at Grey Horn Butte in the Black Hills, South Dakota.

From there they travelled to visit and pray at sacred spots, including Ireland, Costa Rica and Argentina.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow

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