The City of Kamloops is set to celebrate community, diversity, and inclusion with the annual Know Your Neighbour Day Walk on Saturday, October 18th. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Meeting of Waters Promenade in Riverside Park, with refreshments provided for participants.

Started in 2012 by members of Kamloops’ Sikh community, the walk honours the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism, and his enduring message of shared humanity. The initiative began in the wake of the tragic 2012 shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, carried out by a white supremacist, as a way to promote unity and counter hate with solidarity.

Organizers say the event is more relevant than ever as communities across Canada face rising instances of racism, intolerance, and hate crimes. They hope the walk will bring people of all backgrounds together in a public show of support for equity, inclusion, and mutual respect.

“We invite peoples of all backgrounds, creeds, faiths and ethnicities to unite together in solidarity and friendly relations for human rights, equity, inclusion, and strength in diversity,” organizers said in a statement.

As part of the event’s ongoing message, residents are also encouraged to reach out to their neighbours, fostering connection and compassion in everyday life.

The organizers are aiming to make this year’s event the most successful yet and are already looking ahead to an even bigger celebration in 2025.

For more information or to get involved, participants are encouraged to attend the walk and join the community in promoting the welcoming spirit that Kamloops is known for.