Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage cancelled due to weather

Part of the events planned to mark the one-year anniversary of the Papal visit to Edmonton and Alberta have been cancelled.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton posted Tuesday that due to extreme weather on Monday, the remainder of the 2023 Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage is cancelled.

The cancellation came from advice from RCMP, and emergency protocols have been put in place.

“It was really devastating, a lot of elders were taken out of their camp, they had to refuge under the shrine, and some went into the church. I think it was really traumatic for them,” explained Chief Tony Alexis, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation.

“We know there is another storm coming out this way, so instead of taking our chance we decided to cancel.”

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Following the storm, the Archdiocese says work is also underway to ensure the Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation and Lac Ste Anne County have food, warm clothing and safe shelter.

So far, no injuries have been reported.

Over 10,000 people had reportedly gathered for the week-long event.

The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Nations was using this year’s event to reflect on Pope Francis’s visit to their lands in 2022.

“A stronger response from the Church is still needed,” says Grand Chief of Treaty No. 6 Territory and Chief of Montana First Nation, Leonard Standingontheroad. “It’s been a year since the visit with very little progress to show for it.”

Nakota says since the visit, some people have been able to find healing but notes others were left in confusion.

“With his visit, Pope Francis created an opportunity for change, but the Church here in Canada needs to catch up,” said Nakota.

-With files from Laura Krause, CityNews