Penticton Moccasin Run promotes cultural values, health

PENTICTON – The Penticton Indian Band’s Outma Sqilx’ Cultural School played host to students from the Okanagan Nation Alliance on Friday, Oct.16.

The school hosted the fourth annual Moccasin Mile – a cross country running race involving First Nations schools from Keremeos, Oliver, Penticton, Vernon and West Kelowna.

Organizer Karolyn Bonneau says the students 9-years-old and older participated in a one mile run, while those8-years-old and under followed an obstacle course.

“Last year’s overall winner had a time of seven minutes and 30 seconds. The winner receives a trophy and a pair of moccasins. The winning school team receives a trophy as well,” she says.

Bonneau says the meet brings students from the First Nation schools together and promotes health as well. The event also has cultural significance. In the past, runners were used to pass messages between neighbouring tribes.

“We originally ran this event on November 14 to promote Heart Health, but found it was too late in the season and often too cold,” Bonneau says. Friday’s weather was perfect for the event, with sunny skies and temperatures above seasonal normals.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.