This year will mark the 2nd annual Every Child Matters ?Esqax Gats’in Judet’i Cross Country Wagon and Horse Ride.
Organizer Brittany Elkins said the ride was started last year by Tl’etinqox elder Sammy Stump.
“He did it on his own and we decided we wanted to support him and join him [this year],” said Elkins.
She said 20-30 riders are expected to go on the journey along with two horse and wagon teams this year.
“It’s definitely getting bigger.”
Elkins said the Every Child Matters group left Tl’etinqox Friday, June 23 and arrive in Williams Lake June 30 via the Rudy Johnson Bridge just in time for the Williams Lake Stampede.
The ride schedule is as follows:
Friday June 23, 2023 – Tin Can Ranch to Anah Lake
Breakfast 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
Grab your water, snacks and lunch
Get your horses saddled and ready to go
8:45 a.m. Prayers, Drumming and Singing
9 a.m. On route to next camp arriving at Anah Lake approximately 2 p.m.
Saturday June 24, 2023 – Anah Lake to Stum Lake
On the road at 9 a.m. to next camp – arriving to Stum Lake at approximately 2 p.m.
Sunday June 25, 2023 – Stum Lake Day 2 (Rest Day for the horses)
Activities include pitch Mmaking, soup and bannock lunch, 2 p.m. Circle time – Nen Coordinator Allison Charleyboy will have discussions with group regarding mapping of our area and showing IR’s 1 to 18 (Learning about our backyard)
5 p.m. Supper (Traditional supper) boil moose bones, potatoes, bannock
Sammy Stump and Clinton Palmantier – (Land and Knowledge Keepers) Explaining traditional areas, boundaries, road names and being on the land (Both in English and Chilcotin)
Monday June 26, 2023 Stum Lake to Fir Lake (165 km board on Grouse Rd)
9 a.m. on route to next camp and arriving to Fir Lake at approximately 2 p.m.
Tuesday June 27, 2023 Fir Lake to Gordon Woods Place (139km on Grouse Road)
9 a.m. on route to next camp and arriving to Woods Place at approximately 2 p.m.
Wednesday June 28, 2023 Woods Place Day 2 (Rest day for the horses)
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. circle time, prayers, drumming, singing traditional songs
Rosaline Harry – Indian Bingo
Bingo (Online Style) $5 for a 3up
5 p.m. supper pizza night by Denisiqy Services
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. lehal, poker, music by Echen Society
Optional Activity: Movie Night – Portrait From A Fire at Paradise Cinema
Thursday June 29, 2023 Woods Place to The Pit (124km on Grouse Road) – Last night of camping
9 a.m. on route to next camp and arriving at The Pit at approximately 2 p.m.
Lunch will be at approximately 134km board on Grouse Road
Set up camp and campfire
5 p.m. supper Chinese food and birthday cake – celebrating birthdays in June
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting time, Yeqox Nilin Activities
10 p.m. quiet time/bedtime
Friday June 30 The Pit to Williams Lake – WEAR YOUR ORANGE SHIRTS!
7 a.m. to 8: 15 a.m. Breakfast
Saddle horses and get them ready to be hauled across the Rudy Johnsons Bridge
9am Start hauling horses into Williams lake. They will be unloaded on the Soda Creek Road pullout below the winding hill site. Keep a safe distance and stay in line
From unloading area, Williams Lake RCMP will be escorting us into town on McKenzie Ave to RC Cotton
Welcome by Chief Willie Sellars and Drum group
Welcome by Chief Leah Stump and Drum group
Welcome by Tsilhqotin Drum Group
4 p.m. Preparation for Williams Lake Stampede Grand Entry
4:30 to 5 p.m. Ride from RC Cotton Site to Stampede Grounds
Possibly get to watch the Anaham Horse and Bike Riders entering Williams Lake!
Guest Speakers at Grand Entry – Chief Willie, Chief Francis, Chief Leah and Chad Stump
Saturday July 1, 2023 Stampede Parade
Must be at the Cariboo Memorial Complex between 7am and 8am
9am Parade start
Once the parade is over, we will ride to the RC Cotton Site where horses will be picked up and hauled back to Toosey and/or Anaham immediately.
Watch and cheer on Darren Sulin and his Horse (Nitro) in the Mountain Race all Four days of the Stampede, representing “Every Child Matters.”
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