HUMBOLDT — An acclaimed fiddle player, who walked from Air Ronge to the Legislature in Regina to raise awareness about the high suicide rate among Northern and Indigenous peoples, is playing and speaking in Humboldt.
Tristen Durocher will play at a concert at the Humboldt and District Gallery on Friday, Sept. 29. The next day, he will be a guest speaker at the Walk for Reconciliation.
"Durocher knows that even small positive changes can lead to great things – and he has been instrumental in creating those changes," said a short biography from Indspire, a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
"Inspired by the defeat of a suicide prevention bill in the Saskatchewan Legislature, Tristen created the 'Walking with Our Angels' campaign to raise awareness of the disproportionately high rate of suicide among Northern and Indigenous peoples, walking 635 km from his home in Air Ronge, SK, to the Legislative grounds in Regina, SK. He set up a teepee and started a 44-day ceremonial fast to convince the provincial government to adopt the bill it had recently voted down.
"The bill ultimately passed in April 2021."
The free concert at the gallery, organized by Arts Humboldt, is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29. Registration is not required but space is limited. Doors open at 6:30pm.
On Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Durocher will be the guest speaker at the Walk for Reconciliation, held by the Westminster Affirm Team. Orange shirts are welcome but not required. Walkers will meet at Civic Park at 9:45 a.m. on and walk to the Westminster Hall for refreshments and an official program.
These two City of Humboldt Cultural Services events are supported by Culture Days funding from SaskCulture and Sask Lotteries.
