St’át’imc Nation is set to host an inaugural Walk & Run event this summer, with 5k, 10k, half marathon (21.1k), full marathon (42.2k), and double marathon (84.4k) options for participants. All distances will be held on Saturday, June 21—National Indigenous Peoples Day.
“It was our running club’s idea to have it on Indigenous Peoples Day, to celebrate health and wellness and movement all together,” said organizer Pala Kovacs, who goes by her Ucwalmícwts name Neekiki.
“We just want to be able to see people out there moving and in our territory.”
While the event is open to any participants, it’s marketed towards Indigenous people as part of the organizers' push to promote health in the Nation.
“We want to really encourage Indigenous health and Indigenous well-being,” Neekiki said. “It's the whole driving force behind it.”
A 2024 study from the First Nations Health Authority notes that, while improvement has been made on Indigenous health, “overall progress has been limited.”
The report highlights the “ongoing acts of settler colonialism and Indigenous-specific racism that continue to impact First Nations people, [manifesting in] inequitable health and wellness outcomes.”
Sport plays an essential role in the B.C. Truth and Reconciliation report's recommendations. Case in point, Call to Action 89 urges lawmakers to embrace a more holistic vision of sport that promotes health.
“We call upon the federal government to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to support reconciliation by ensuring that policies to promote physical activity as a fundamental element of health and well-being, reduce barriers to sports participation, increase the pursuit of excellence in sport, and build capacity in the Canadian sport system, are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples,” it reads.
To that end, Neekiki wants to see the event become an annual tradition akin to Haida Nation’s annual Totem to Totem Marathon event, part of the Nation's Skidegate Days Celebrations.
"We just really want whatever we can to support our people and bring our health back up, because our health is vital to our success in the future," said Neekiki. "So we just want to do whatever we can to support that."
One difference between the Haida Nation’s event and the St’át’imc walk and run? The double marathon option. Neekiki said a handful of people have already expressed interest in the double marathon, including one of the event’s organizers.
There’s a lot about running that’s expensive—the shoes, the running packs, the gels—but race entries would probably top that list. Marathons can easily cost hundreds of dollars to enter, paying for administration costs, aid stations and medals. Neekiki said the entry fee will be $10 for adults and free for those aged 19 and under, despite those expenses.
“We just want to make it accessible for all Indigenous people to be able to participate,” said Neekiki. “We don't have people signing up for those races that cost hundreds of dollars. It’s a luxury that our people don't really experience. So we want to be able to make this accessible for our people, to be able to be part of something bigger.”
The majority of the race takes place within the boundaries of the Lil’wat’s traditional territory, with the exception of a small section out towards Owl Ridge. In addition to the symbolic importance of holding the race within those boundaries, there’s an ancillary benefit; the cheering throngs that always accompany marathons will be comprised of Nation members.
"And the goal is for it to be a larger Indigenous event, because the history like we used to have in the old reserve," said Neekiki. "Our people would have foot races on the old reserve. And there's really cool instances of people doing shorter-distance, but also longer-distance foot races. And that was a huge part of our culture and entertainment back in the day."
Start times will vary, depending on the distance, with the ultimate goal of getting everyone back to U̓ll̓us around the same time so runners can all commemorate the occasion together as part of the Nation’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
Until then, members of the Nation looking to train up for the event can join the Lil’wat movement club on Saturdays at 9 a.m. at Tsipun.
As with any marathon event, plenty of help and resources are needed. Local businesses looking to sponsor the event or provide prizes, as well as those looking to volunteer to help get the event across the finish line, can reach out to Neekiki at [email protected].
Neekiki said to expect the registration to open up in the coming months as sponsorships are ironed out. To stay up to date on the event as it continues to be rolled out, check out the race’s Facebook Page.
