Organizers of February’s Black History Walk are back with another run at the end of this month — this time to stand in solidarity with the people of First Nations in Canada.
The Ethiopian Affairs in B.C. group is encouraging community members to don their orange t-shirts and join fellow runners on Saturday, July 29, for their Orange Run for First Nations at Central Park in Burnaby.
The non-profit, dedicated to promoting Ethiopian cultural values and history through the arts, is hosting its first Orange Run for First Nations, a five-kilometre run, for people to reflect and create awareness around issues surrounding First Nations community and Indigenous peoples.
The run will begin at Patterson station (near Central Park) at 7 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to gather early and warm up for the run.
It is free for people of all ages and communities to attend, but organizer Moges Seblehiwot said donations are welcome. Attendees are invited to wear bright orange t-shirts and show their support for Indian residential school survivors.
“This is to honour and a tribute to the First Nations people of Canada, specifically in B.C.,” Seblehiwot said. “We are in the truth and reconciliation process, and we believe this is a process and not a one-time action. So we want to be part of it.”
He hopes the community can come together in raising awareness while enjoying a fun run with the Ethiopian community in Burnaby. Ethiopians are known to be good runners, he noted.
Follow their Facebook page for more information. People can register on-site before the walk or call the organizer at 236-997-0676 to register.
Due to limited orange shirts being available, Seblehiwot is encouraging participants to wear their own orange t-shirts.
Orange B.C. Run for First Nations 2023
When: Saturday, July 29 at 7 a.m.
Where: Patterson station (4101 Beresford St., Burnaby)
Cost: Free, on-site registration
