REGINA – Regina’s North Central community is trying to rid of some of the negativity associated with the neighbourhood.
The annual Smudge Walk took place Monday with hundreds of participants.
Smudging is a traditional First Nations ritual meant to cleanse negative energy and spirits.
“This is our world. This is our future, and these are our people. If we don’t care about each other then who’s going to care about you?” asks one of the walkers.
The walk began as a response to a 2007 Macleans article dubbing North Central “Canada’s Worst Neighbourhood.”
Instead of allowing the negativity to discourage them, residents focused on the positives.
Myke Agecoutay is the Smudge Walk chair, and wants the event to symbolize the many positives happening in the community.
“We want to celebrate some of the success happening here in North Central” said Agecoutay. “That’s the development of a brand new football stadium; we have a shared facility being developed here, as well as a brand new elementary school.”
Every walker has a different reason for participating. The issues range anywhere from poverty to justice for the missing and murdered aboriginal women.
It wasn’t just members of the community participating. Elementary and high school students were also taking part in an effort to help the kids better understand the issues the neighborhood faces.
“I think it’s really important to give students an opportunity to understand more about North Central Regina,” said Greg Enion, the incoming Director of Education for Regina public schools. “It helps the students realize some of the challenges, and some of the opportunities that are coming for this area.”
Members of the community are hopeful that is one step towards a brighter future.
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