Men of the North previous hosted a sacred fire ceremony in November 2020. (Submitted photo/Daniel Despins)

By Derek Cornet

upcoming campaign

Men of the North planning four-day sacred fire in April

Mar 23, 2021 | 12:00 PM

Men of the North are hopeful they can move ahead with a Family Support Awareness Campaign in April.

The campaign, which includes a four-day sacred fire and multiple solidarity walks, was intended to begin March 19 but organizers pushed the date back to April 9 to 12. Men of the North founder Christopher Merasty noted the new dates are tentative and the campaign could be postponed if COVID-19 restrictions aren’t further relaxed.

“Depending on April 5, if the COVID restrictions get lifted, then we’re going to go ahead and do this event,” he said.

Plans so far start with a walk from the urban reserve in La Ronge to Morin’s Hill on April 9, where a teepee will go up followed by the ceremonial lighting of the sacred pipe and lighting of the sacred fire. Merasty explained the fire will remain lit for four days and will symbolize the passing of a loved one and to help him or her find their way back to where they belong.

Merasty also added sacred fires are a tradition within Indigenous communities after a family loses a loved one. He said the fire serves to encourage communication between family and friends, as well as to keep individuals and families safe. It’s also meant to help with the healing process.

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“I know during this COVID era, we have lost so many people whether it be through the COVID situation, natural causes, overdoes, suicides, all that type of stuff,” Merasty said. “For a lot of individuals who have lost a loved one or family member or friend, we couldn’t be there during the wake ceremonies because of COVID and the restrictions, so we didn’t have a chance to pay our proper respects.”

The sacred fire will include an alter where the public will be encouraged to leave an item of their loved one. The item can be picked up at the closing ceremony scheduled for April 12.

During those four days, Merasty mentioned there will be a walk for missing and murdered Indigenous men and women. There will also be a walk and candlelight vigil to honour those who attended residential schools or day schools, as well as victims of the Sixties Scoop.

Men of the North previously hosted a sacred fire ceremony in November 2020.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno