Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Visitors will find the path adorned with nearly 60 ice lanterns and movable chairs to relax in. "It kind of becomes a living room on the Assiniboine River," said Borys. She said she hopes the site also helps people's understanding of the health and well-being of the city's rivers and the need to protect water. Last winter, Borys and her group of friends shovelled out a serpentine maze in the snow at the site, decorating it with frozen sculptures and donated art.
