Hundreds of runners and walkers gathered Sunday at Edmonton’s Kinsmen Park for the sixth annual Orange Shirt Run & Walk, organized by the Indigenous Runners Alliance. The event brought together physical activity, education and community reflection ahead of Wednesday’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honours residential school survivors, their families and children who never returned home.

Centred on “Every Child Matters” and reconciliation in action, the gathering included educational activities, live drumming and singing, a round dance, food trucks and vendors. Organizers also gave away trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

Anita Cardinal of the Indigenous Runners Alliance described reconciliation as a shared journey rather than a destination, requiring daily action from everyone. “It is about bringing people together in truth and well-being to honour our little ancestors who did not make it home from residential schools, and to honour the survivors and our communities,” Cardinal told CTV News Edmonton. “It’s about movement as medicine.”

The annual event was held in advance of the national day, which recognizes survivors and families as well as the children who never came home. CTV News Edmonton’s Noah Rishaug contributed files.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.