Sandy Lake First Nation walk the winter road raising money for wellness and prayer
Sandy Lake First Nation press release
Sandy Lakers walk the winter road for prayer and healing: raises $5,000
Fri, 04/03/2009
Approximately 17 community members walked 50 km on the winter road yesterday in an effort to bring prayer and healing to the community.
The prayers were for community members who are sick and in poor health and for those who are struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, said Eddie Kakepetum, one of the walk's organizers.
Community members phoned in their prayer requests to the local radio station the day before the walk.
Callers also phoned in donations to the radio station on the day of the walk. More than $5,000.00 was raised for the annual tent meeting hosted by Revival Centre. The annual event will take place this summer and brings in visitors and special guests from several other communities.
Chief Adam Fiddler and his wife Mary Jane kept the group of walkers going for the 13-hour trek. "They're strong walkers", said Eddie. "We had a hard time keeping up with them".
Other walkers included Brandon Goodman who walked for his father Ignace Goodman and Karen Kakepetum who walked for her son who has been in hospital. Jessica Kakepetum, a member of the Elder's Council and organizer of the Revival Centre's tent meeting, also took part in the walk.
The group started their walk Thursday at 7:00 a.m. and arrived into the community at 8:00 p.m.