COCHIN - Despite the intense heat, supporters made a journey of healing along Highway 4 near Cochin recently to remember the five people who lost their lives in two collisions earlier this month.
On July 5, two people were killed in a crash south of the Battlefords, including a six-month-old child, and three were killed in a crash south of Cochin, including two children. Six people were injured.
In one collision, south of Cochin, involving a van and truck, a 48-year-old woman, a five-year-old boy, and a six-year-old boy, all from Flying Dust First Nation, were killed.
In the second collision, a few hours later, about seven kilometres south of Battleford, involving a motorhome and SUV, a 29-year-old woman and a six-month-old boy, both from Red Pheasant First Nation, died.
Krista Fox and her boss Michael Collins, who organized the 'Highway to Healing' walk on July 20 and 21, were joined by many others along the way.
"A couple of weeks ago, I woke up and felt like I needed to do something," Fox told Sask Today. "I don't have a lot to offer, but I do have two feet and a heart-beat."
She added when she discussed the idea for the walk with Collins he was onboard for the effort.
Fox noted that she is very close to a relative of the Red Pheasant First Nation family who lost loved ones in the second collision that tragic day, so the loss is close to her heart also.
"It was her daughter and grandson that she lost," Fox said.
A number of organizations stepped up to donate drinks and meals for the walk participants.
They walked a total of 53.5 km over two days to create memorial sites by the highway where two families lost loved ones on July 5.
Fox said before starting the walk she reached out to both families asking for their blessing to undertake the walk.
The Highway to Healing walk started on Saturday at Cochin, covering 36 kilometres. Along the way, the participants put up three crosses for those who died in one collision at the site of the crash.
"There was a kokum and her two young grandsons," Fox said.
Then, they continued on Sunday traveling towards North Battleford, covering 17.5 more kilometres, and placed two crosses for a memorial at the site along the way for the two people who died in the second crash.
"[There was a young mother and her six-month-old baby [who passed] at the second site," Fox said.
One of the family members met the walk participants at The Ridge outside the town of Battleford afterwards. There, a meal for all walkers was provided by Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man First Nation Economic Development at the end of the walk.
"It was very, very hot but it was quite an emotional walk too," Fox said.
About 25 people took part in the walk with Fox and Collins each day. There was also a police escort to ensure everyone's safety as they walked by the side of the highway. A couple of first responders out of Meota also participated in the walk.
"Throughout the two days we had people join us and leave, then come back or come and join us for the meal," Fox said. "We had not a great big turnout, but I strongly believe that the Creator put who he needed to, to be with us throughout the weekend. Overall, I'm extremely satisfied simply hearing from the families that it has helped them on their healing journey."
Fox said all she wanted to do with the walk was to show some support to the families who lost loved ones in the two collisions.
She added that the walk participants also stopped at other memorial sites along the way that recognized other tragedies over the years that occurred along the same highway.
"We did actually stop at every single cross that we saw along the highway," Fox added.
Fox hopes that the walk brings healing to the families involved.
"That was the whole plan," she said. "All I try and do is support the families the best way I know how. What we [the walkers] lacked in numbers we had in strength. I think it was an amazing journey."
Fox said hearing that five people in total had died in the two collisions on July 5 back to back was very upsetting to her.
"The highway has brought tragedies to many families," she said. She added that her eldest son's father died in an accident on the same road many years ago, so the grief people are feeling hits home for her family too.
"[The issue] has always been near and dear to my heart," Fox said. "I don't have much, but I just want to help families to be able to start their healing journey, and know that there is a community here that surrounds them, that loves them, and supports them. I hope the family from Flying Dust [also] that they too when they come through our community that they see that we honoured their loved ones the best way we could."
