On behalf of ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin (Chief), ʔiⱡwat̓naʔis (Council), residential school survivors, and the ʔaq̓am community, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us for our 6th Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Walk on September 30, 2026.
The walk begins at the former St. Eugene Residential School, now the St Eugene Golf, Resort, & Casino and travels through the community to a hill overlooking the school and the surrounding valley. For many former students, this location became known as “Crying Hill.” As children returning for another school year, they would see the school come into view and begin to cry in fear of what awaited them. Today, as survivors continue their healing journeys and courageously share their stories, we hope that one day the tears associated with this place will fade and be replaced by the joy and beauty of the valley below.
This year’s walk welcomed more than 1,000 participants, with over 500 attendees sharing a community meal afterward. The growing attendance each year reflects a community-wide commitment to truth, reconciliation, understanding, and healing.
Your presence and support made this gathering deeply meaningful. Seeing residents from Cranbrook, Kimberley, and surrounding communities walk alongside survivors and their families demonstrated the strength of our relationships and our shared commitment to building a better future. Coming together in unity, respect, and understanding reminds us of the importance of connection and of walking forward together.
We encourage everyone to continue learning about the history, culture, and ongoing contributions of the Ktunaxa people by visiting the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre at St. Eugene, reading the Truth & Reconciliation Report and Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and spending time appreciating the unique beauty, language, and culture of Ktunaxa territory.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and stand alongside our community. Your support helps strengthen relationships, honour survivors, and create a brighter future for generations to come.
Sincerely,
ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin (Chief) and ʔiⱡwat̓naʔis (Council)
on behalf of the ʔaq̓am Community and Residential School Survivors
