Spiritual travellers seek peace

Page 13

Sharron Johnstone recently met many of the people involved in the Walking Home prayer journey for peace, unity and to foster a spirit of love for Mother Earth, "who gives of her beauty so freely."

It began in May in Vancouver and includes people from the United States and Belgium as well as Canada, who range in age from young people to a 66-year-old man. Walkers from other countries are expected to join in at various times. Dedicated to spiritual unity, walkers will cover 2,300 kilometres over five months and end up in Saskatoon, Sask. on Oct. 1, 1993, organizers say.

The walk is limited to 25 people at a time, and the goal of the walkers is to learn about peace as they walk and live together for five months.

Through ceremonies and spiritual events that the walkers will create along the way, the walkers will celebrate life, give thanks for the Earth's riches and offer prayers for peace and global harmony. It is their hope that people from the communities they travel through will participate in the ceremonies.

"This is the Year of the Indigenous Peoples and I think it would be nice to follow the Native tradition of providing these people with your warm hearts and maybe some bannock and tea as they pass through your communities," Johnstone said.