Christians in Fort Macleod walked a symbolic route Friday that was travelled by their saviour thousands of years ago.
More than 100 people from several local churches turned out on Good Friday for the annual Way of the Cross procession that began at Holy Cross Church.
“Jesus gave his life for us,” said Chris Adamiak, who carried the cross for a portion of the trek around the block. “This is our way of remembering that.”
With people such as Adamiak taking turns shouldering the burden of the cross, people united in song and prayer as they enacted each of the stations of the cross.
While the Way of the Cross marks an important period — Pontius Pilot condemning Christ to death, his journey with the cross, his crucifixion, death and resurrection — it also served to remind Adamiak of an important moment in his own life in 1993.
“When I found Jesus it changed my life,” Adamiak said. “This is my way of repaying the chance for a new life.”
Adamiak said he enjoys how the Way of the Cross serves to unite people from a variety of churches.
“It’s bringing all the different churches together,” Adamiak said. “Jesus was the true church, and he’s calling us to be one with him.”
Helen Beste agreed.
“It’s a really good ecumenical event,” said Beste. “It helps you to realize what our Lord did for us.”
As the group prepared to embark on its journey along Third Avenue to 27th Street, then south on Fourth Avenue an west on 26th Street back to Holy Cross Church, Father Fermo reminded participants of the reason for the event.
“The journey we are about to make is a special one,” Father Fermo said. “It is a

The Chamber of Commerce is a shining example of how people working together can benefit Fort Macleod, according to Mayor Shawn Patience.
Patience singled the Chamber out for praise March 22 at the organization’s annual banquet and awards evening at the Elks Hall.
“This is the oldest Chamber in the province of Alberta,” Patience said of the organization formed in 1888. “That is certainly worthy of note. They’ve been here for a very long time and it’s to the credit of the volunteer force behind the Chamber.”
The Chamber honoured George Gaschler, Ryland Moranz, South Country Fair, Luigi’s Pizza and Steakhouse, Fort Macleod UFA, Macleod Feed Mill and The Macleod Gazette at the banquet attended by about 100 people.
Patience, who is a former president of the Chamber and who was elected mayor in October, said the business organization is an example of how the people in a small town work together for the common good.
“It’s through working together that we achieve things,” Patience said. “The Chamber is synonymous with that. It’s bringing people, businessmen, interested parties together on behalf of the community and to the benefit of the community.”
“It’s through bringing people together that we achieve most of what we achieve in a small community,” Patience added.
Patience cited such projects as the development of the new seniors’ drop-in centre, the expansion of the library and renovations to the Elks Hall as other examples of people working together for the benefit of Fort Macleod.
“For us to move forward we have to work together,” Patience said.
The mayor thanked Chamber members and other people for getting involved in community projects.
“Really it’s the volunteer support that not only the Chamber receives but that we receive through all of our community organizations, committees and boards,” Patience said. “That’s really where the backbone of the small town comes from.”
“It’s through our efforts — working together — that we’re going to take this community forward,” Patience added. “And it’s working together that we’re going to make this community prosperous.”
Outgoing Chamber president Emily McTighe encouraged Fort Macleod residents to get involved in the organization.
“It’s not what the Chamber can do for you that’s important,” said McTighe, who has served two years at the helm. “It’s what you can do for your Chamber.”

Nicholle Weasel Traveller and other Piikani men and women left the community centre Thursday with a certificate and a promise for a better future.
Weasel Traveller has just graduated from the Construction Craft Labour Training program offered by Piikani Employment Services at Brocket.
The certificate she received means a union job and a $10 an hour increase in pay when she returns to work in the oil industry in northern Alberta,
More importantly, the graduation ceremonies for her program and several others represent a chance at a better life for people on the Piikani Nation.
“It’s very important,” Weasel Traveller said of Piikani Employment Services. “We need more programs like this. For us to get through a program in our community will show others that they can do it too.”
More than 100 people turned out Thursday morning at the community centre to celebrate the completion of four employment training programs.
Certificates of completion and participation, along with some achievement awards, were presented to people in the Personal Development, Piikani Youth Initiative, Pre-Introduction to Technology and Trades; Construction Craft Labour Training and Industrial Construction Training programs.
“It’s very important, because we support each other,” Weasel Traveller said of being able to attend classes in her home community. “It seems a lot easier when you have your family close to you.”
Weasel Traveller was working as a non-union labourer in Fort McMurray when she learned the construction craft labour training program was being offered through Piikani Employment Services.
She returned home and enrolled in the training program offered in partnership with Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Alberta Energy and Construction Workers Union Local 92.
The program is designed to train people to work in a variety of buildings, structures and premises and obtain various safety tickets. Participants will be indentured into the union to work in the oil industry.
Weasel Traveller said getting the training on the Piikani Nation is important for people who would have difficulty travelling to Lethbridge or other centres for a similar program.
“I probably would have, but I don’t think a lot of my classmates would have been able to,” Weasel Traveller said.
Piikani Employment Services manager Jim Swag said unemployment rates on reserves tend to run as high as 80 per cent — a reality the training programs are designed to change.
“It’s not a program that is going to stop,” Swag promised. “It’s going to continue.”
Eleven students were registered in the Personal Development program, which is designed to provide career and personal develop assistance to people who have not been successful in a job or academic setting.
The Piikani Youth Initiative program helps young people explore career options and get work experience through agencies on the Piikani Nation. Twelve students got certificates on Thursday morning.
Twelve students were registered in the Pre-Introduction to Technology and Trades program, which gets people ready to enter a trades apprenticeship or other post-secondary training program.
Fourteen students singed up for the Industrial Construction program, which is a partnership between Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Lethbridge Community College, Structural Truss, Triple M Homes and SRI.
Students are trained to work in the housing manufacturing industry, and are also prepared to write the apprenticeship exam.
“We were fortunate to have these community partnerships,” Swag said.
Sheryl Chase, regional director of Alberta Human Resources and Employment, stressed the importance of offering such training in the Piikani community.
“It is through programs such as these that there is increased access to the workforce,” Chase said.
George Provost, a member of the Piikani Nation Council, offered congratulations to the students.
“I’m really proud of you guys taking a step forward in your lives,” Provost said.
Guest speaker Wilfred Yellow Wings told the students about his days as a young man working on the round-up in the early 1950s. He recalled how the young men were expected to learn quickly and work hard.
Yellow Wings encouraged the students to follow that advice as they embark on their new careers.
“This is a beginning — make the most of it,” he said. “I wish the best for you.”