The Saskatchewan River Water Walk participants. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan River Water Walk)

By Angela Brown

Watching the river flow

Saskatchewan River Water Walk group hopes to raise awareness of need to protect water source

Aug 10, 2021 | 1:56 PM

The Saskatchewan River Water Walk is continuing this week as the grassroots group heads across Saskatchewan and Alberta, raising awareness of the need for people to respect the water as a life source.

The group were in the Delmas and Battlefords area recently, and will finish the walk east of Prince Albert, at the Saskatchewan River Forks.

Organizer Tasha Beeds says the aim of the walk is to increase understanding of the value of the North Saskatchewan River in people’s lives, today and into the future.

“It’s more about raising consciousness about the need to see that water as living, to see that all of life needs water,” she said.

The group started the walk July 11 from the Saskatchewan River Crossing at the Alberta-B.C. border, between Jasper and Banff, and followed roadways near the North Saskatchewan River route. They expect to have completed over 1,000 kilometres when their journey is over.

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The members are comprised of 11 walkers, all of whom are Indigenous, with the exception of one ally. The group from across Canada is made up of nine women and two men. During the walk that is described as a spiritual Indigenous ceremony for the water, the participants take turns carrying a copper vessel filled with water taken from the river. Participants walk and pray along the route.

Indigenous-based Redrum Motorcycle Club members also helped with the walk, showing support.

Beeds says the walkers appreciate any donations they receive to help with their costs. She thanked local resident Eleanore Sunchild for providing a meal and accommodation for the participants while they were in the Battlefords.

The walkers originally planned to complete the event at Grand Rapids, Manitoba, but decided instead to end at the Saskatchewan River Forks as they have been feeling exhausted from the continuous heat and dryness in the air.

Beeds says while travelling through Alberta the group were concerned to see there was no snow on the mountains. She says that will ultimately impact the Saskatchewan River system directly.

She is worried about the sustainability of the North Saskatchewan River for future generations.

She said the voice of the water is giving an urgent message to all people – that if everyone doesn’t start thinking about the future, what is going to be there for tomorrow?

“If we look at what is occurring we can safely say that the river may run dry in the next 40 to 50 years,” Beeds said. “This is a change that is coming very rapidly.”

“I grew up alongside these waters,” she added. “To think that my grandchildren may not have that opportunity is very, very frightening.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow