All are welcome at a pipe ceremony being hosted by the Town of Okotoks this Sunday.
The ceremony is commemorating the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples.
"This is a time where you can offer your prayers and show your support and solidarity," said Town of Okotoks Indigenous relations advisor Desmond Jackson. "The community is invited. You don't have to be a community member, you don't have to be Indigenous, First Nations, Métis or Inuit."
Blackfoot elder Ruth Scalp Lock, who is a published author and residential school survivor, will be a special guest speaker at the ceremony.
"There's a missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls memorial site right behind Bow Valley College where people can put offerings," said Jackson. "Offerings may differ from nation to nation, so that can include either items such as tobacco, cloth, food, shoes, red dresses, ribbons whatever is meaningful to you, but your greatest offering is your prayer."
Berry soup and bannock will also be served at the event.
The pipe ceremony is being held on Sunday, May 5 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Ethel Tucker Centennial Park. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved into the Muncipal Centre.
Learn more on the Town of Okotoks website.
