NWMP Trail

Today, history enthusiasts begin a walking pilgrimage that spans over 300 km to retrace the steps of the North West Mounted Police Trail - and the public is invited to join.

The walk starts at Wood Mountain Post historical site today and ends at Fort Walsh on August 7, organized by the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society (SHFS).

"Back in the 1800s, about 1860s and so on, when Métis were in the Wood Mountain and also in the Cypress Hills area - they were moving skins back and forth in that part of their history. And later on, with the Northwest Mounted Police coming west in 1874, then they set up posts along that part of the country. So it's got a long history with First Nations, Métis, Northwest Mounted Police, and of course later on with the settlement history," said Hugh Henry, a board member for the SHFS.

The first president of the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society, Everett Baker initiated a project in the 1960s to erect 260 white concrete posts along the trail. Henry sits on the Historic Trails Committee of the SHFS and will be documenting these concrete posts and taking GPS readings.

Dr. Matthew Anderson, a professor at Concordia University's Department of Theological Studies will walk the entire trail with Henry. Anderson grew up in Swift Current and teaches pilgrimage studies.

"He's gone on pilgrimages in Europe and so on, and has quite a history and knowledge of those sorts of things. It was his idea to get a Canadian focus. Having grown up this area, of course, he was somewhat familiar with the Northwest Mounted Police Trail, and so he got in touch the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society," Henry said.  

There will be a potluck supper and presentation at the McCord Community Hall at 6 pm on Sunday, and another presentation at the New Horizons Centre in Mankota at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. On July 24 in Val Marie at Prairie Wind & Silver Sage, another event will take place with writer Trevor Herriot reading from his new book The Road is How: A Prairie Pilgrimage through Nature, Desire and Soul.

The SHFS is then hosting heritage activities in Eastend on August 1. Besides walking, Henry says cyclists are welcome, along with horseback riding on some sections of the trail.  If you wish to join the walk along the North West Mounted Police Trail, you're asked to contact the office of the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society at 306-780-9204.