Toby Desnomie sits in the middle of a circle surrounded by people. They’re situated outside the Kahkewistahaw gas station. Alvin Sengret kneels in front of Desnomie, leading the group in prayers for health and safety. He passes a pipe around the circle. Some people smoke it. After a few minutes, the ceremony is over.
“All in all, I asked that we have a safe walk and things go right,” Sengret said.
The walk Sengret refers to is the Walk for Life. It is being put on by the Saskatchewan First Nations Safety Association (SFNSA). Desnomie, the founder and CEO of SFNSA, is walking from Marchwell to Lloydminster. He began his walk on August 21.
“It’s been quite enjoyable meeting new people along the way,” he said.
The walk aims to raise awareness about occupational health and safety for members of the Treaty Nations. Desnomie wants to personally spread this message while bridging the gap between Saskatchewan communities and First Nations people.
“We believe community development and community emergency preparedness is everybody’s business,” he said.
“That means working together in communal understanding.”
Desnomie has been traveling along the Yellowhead Highway, averaging between 25 to 37 kilometers per day. He starts in the morning and goes until 6 p.m. If he’s running behind schedule, he’ll hop on his bicycle and make up for lost time.
“So far, the hardest part is getting up at 6 a.m.,” he said.
Desnomie stopped in Yorkton on August 23. The town was the first of three major pitstops for him, which include Saskatoon and North Battleford.
“Yorkton is a pinnacle point on our way through to Lloydminster,” he said.
In Yorkton, Desnomie’s team hosted a barbecue along with the pipe ceremony. Passersby were encouraged to join in and talk.
“We believe in putting our spiritual way of life first,” Desnomie said. “When we stop to rest...we show appreciation that we made it safe.”
The pipe ceremony will be performed at the other major stops during the walk.
“Our ceremonies are for the people,” Sengret said. “We ask for good health and happiness.”
Desnomie stayed in Yorkton for a few hours before returning to the highway. He has many kilometers left in his journey, and, hopefully, more people to meet.
“Bringing communities together from one edge of province to the next...that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
