Saskatoon activists hold smudge walk for city's homeless population

"I want to pray for all these people, and pray that we don't lose any more," said Fineday

Over a dozen activists held a smudge walk in Saskatoon on Saturday to bring awareness to the city's homelessness crisis.

The rally, organized by housing advocate David Fineday, walked for several blocks through the city, pausing at intersections for prayer.

"I want to pray for all these people, and pray that we don't lose any more," said Fineday.

According to the City of Saskatoon's most recent point-in-time count last October, there were 1,499 people experiencing homelessness. That's nearly triple the number found in the previous count in 2022, which identified 550.

"I'm here to remember my son who was found frozen behind a church on 20th Street here in Saskatoon two years ago," said Joyce Head, who walked in the rally.