Sadie’s Walk coming up

After three years, Good Friday will mark the return of a Sadie’s Walk event in Kahnawake.

It is being organized by the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Program (KSDPP) in collaboration with PlanIt Consulting and the Kahnawake Youth Center (KYC).

“It’s about coming together. It’s about moving, supporting one another, and being a part of something positive, whether it’s for your own health, or your family, or somebody who you know, in memorial of somebody who had diabetes. It’s a community initiative, and it’s to be part of the community as well,” said Coreen Delormier, KSDPP’s program director, who will be joining the walk as a participant as well.

The walk is named after Sadie Muik, a diabetes prevention worker from Okanagan First Nation in British Columbia who was killed in a car accident on April 5, 1996, Good Friday, just seven kilometres away from her place of work.

The walk became an annual tradition in her memory since, particularly in Indigenous communities. Alex McComber, a researcher and community advisor for KSDPP, learned of the initiative while visiting Okanagan First Nation for research work the year Muik died, and brought forward the idea of Kahnawake holding its own Sadie’s Walk, the first of which took place in 1997.

The Walk took place annually until 2020, when it had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Family bubbles walked on their own in 2021, and the event returned to normal for 2022 and 2023.

It was paused in 2024 and 2025 as KSDPP’s priorities shifted and its capacity was stretched, Delormier said, but they are excited for the event to be back in earnest.

There are two different routes available, one being seven KM long to match the distance away Muik was from her workplace, and the other five KM long. Both routes begin and end at the KYC building.

“You can definitely use your bike, roller blades, if people want to even be on a skateboard. It’s nice to come out and be a part of the walk,” said Delormier.

Sadie’s Walk will be taking place on April 3 no matter the weather, and participants are encouraged to arrive starting at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10 a.m.

“You have to come prepared,” said Delormier. “If it’s raining or if it’s snowing, then let’s be ready.”

The KYC will provide water stations, and the Kahnawake Peacekeepers will ensure safety for the walkers along the routes.

The first 50 participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt designed by KSDPP communications coordinator Kim Delormier.

“It’s a fun item to have. It’s really about celebrating the return of the walk, the energy behind it, and then it’s something people can wear and feel proud of being part of the walk,” said Coreen.

After the walk, prizes will be given away and a healthy lunch made with the help of donations from community members will be served.

“Everybody pitched in, and people are making soup and sandwiches and healthy snacks,” said Coreen.

Anyone who wishes to help by volunteering during the walk can contact the KSDPP.

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