The final morning of the Prairie Retreat started like the others, with breakfast at 8 AM, but this time carrying the particular bittersweetness of a last morning together.
Checkout was set for 9 AM, and after three days of talking circles, workshops, and late-night bingo, it was time to pack up.
Check-out
As promised the night before, everyone stripped their sheets before heading out the door, a small courtesy to the one housekeeper who kept the site running for the whole retreat.
A Visit to Canmore
The group made a stop in Canmore on the way back, giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs, grab food, and take in the mountain town before the long drive home.
Folks wandered through local shops, picking up small souvenirs or just soaking in the last bit of mountain scenery before Calgary and Edmonton traffic replaced it.
For a group that had spent three days in talking circles, workshops and reflection, the hour in Canmore was a welcome, low-key close, no agenda, no sessions, just time to wander and be normal humans again before heading home.
The Official End to the Retreat
From Canmore, the group made its way back through Calgary, dropping off participants at Anderson LRT Station, before continuing on to Edmonton. As the bus rolled along, the energy was noticeably different from the ride out three days earlier, quieter, more reflective, full of the kind of tiredness that comes from a retreat well spent.
What started as a group of mostly strangers boarding a school bus outside EPL Milner ended with a cohort that had built something real together: cultural teachings, hard conversations, creative confidence, land-based reflection, and a whole lot of bingo, all folded into three days that clearly left a mark.
A Note of Thanks
As this retreat comes to a close, and this cohort's journey continues, we wanted to pause and say thank you.
Thank you to the young people who said yes to this cohort back in July, before any of us knew what these months would hold.
To those who could not stay the full journey, thank you for the time and energy you did give us, it mattered.
To the folks who joined us more recently for the Prairie Retreat, thank you for stepping into something already in motion and making it feel like you had always been here.
Lastly, thank you to every facilitator, panelist, partner organization, and collaborator who gave their time and expertise along the way.
This programming is a reflection of a whole community choosing to show up for the next generation of storytellers and changemakers. We see you, we appreciate you and we are just getting started.
As one chapter closes, the next one begins.
Join us for our Public Showcase at Edmonton City Hall on October 17.