Saskatoon Chapter

Who We Are

The Saskatoon Chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims is a local community — primarily people who live in the Saskatoon area and who have walked, or plan to walk, the Camino de Santiago or related pilgrimage routes. Our goal is to network interested local walkers and provide a starting point for them in planning their own Camino. As a local Chapter, we are affiliated with the Canadian Company of Pilgrims (CCoP).

Chapter Coordinator
Edie Riekman
Founder of the Saskatoon Chapter
and CCoP Liaison
Lea Pennock
Facebook Administrator
Laurel Kreuger
For more information about the Saskatoon Chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims and our latest updates:

What We Do

A variety of monthly, annual, and occasional activities serve to network local pilgrims and are announced via newsletter, Facebook, and/or posters. Activities and resources include:

Chapter Newsletter

This resource features Chapter news, book reviews, and details of activities and upcoming events. It’s sent out via email, normally at the beginning of each month. NOTE: The newsletter is available, free of charge, to non-members of the CCoP and to CCoP members alike. If you wish to receive it, here’s how to sign up:

  1. Scroll down to the bottom of this page, where there is an orange background.
  2. Locate the subtitle “Join a Chapter Email List” (see screenshot).
  3. If you are not a member of the CCoP, click on “Non-members.”  If you are a member, click on “Members.” If you aren’t currently a member of the CCoP but would like to be, you can get a membership — look at the top of this page and click on “Join,” where shown on the screenshot.
  4. On the next screen, follow the instructions/prompts to sign up for the newsletter of the Saskatoon Chapter.

Monthly Walk and Cantina

On the first Thursday of each month the Saskatoon Chapter meets at Rotary Park (or another pre-determined place) in the late afternoon to walk together and talk about the Camino. After the walk the group reconvenes at Amigos Cantina for drinks and/or a bite to eat with more chatting and information-sharing.

Annual Saint James Day Walk

St. James (aka St. Jacques or Sant Iago) is the patron saint of Spain and of the Camino de Santiago. CCoP chapters across Canada have a tradition of holding a walk on the weekend closest to the Feast Day of St. James, which is on July 25th each year. Watch for notifications, each July, announcing the date and location of the St. James Day Walk in Saskatoon.

Christmas Decoration Walk

Our members are a hearty bunch and the December Chapter Walk features decorating the path with Christmas ornaments and warming up with a mug of hot chocolate.

Camino 101

At least once a year, the Chapter gathers to share information and give presentations regarding planning and walking a Camino. This activity is widely advertised to attract members and non-members alike who are hoping to walk a Camino in the near future.

Occasional Activities

From time to time, an author of a Camino-themed book comes to town and the Saskatoon Chapter hosts a presentation for members and the public. The local Chapter also organizes opportunities for members to share slides of their recent Camino experiences with interested people. Events such as these are publicized on our Facebook page and in the Chapter Newsletter.

Our Resources

Our key resource is our pool of members, who willingly and enthusiastically share their experiences and advice with others during our walks, cantinas, Facebook page, and other activities. At least once each year, we host a Camino 101 to formally share this knowledge with those who are planning for their own Caminos. Watch for notices on our Facebook page and in our newsletter for dates, times, and locations of our activities.
Some of the presentations from recent Camino 101s, available on request, are summarized here:

  • Popular Camino Routes.pdf
    – a map and brief descriptions of the most popular pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela
  • Saskatoon Walking Map.pdf
    – a map of many walking loops (with distances) along the Meewasin Trail in Saskatoon
  • Camino Packing List.pdf
    – a brief outline of what to take, as well as how to fit and pack your backpack for walking a Camino
  • Trekking Poles Primer.pdf
    – an introduction to fitting and using trekking poles
  • Technology on the Camino.pdf
    – an annotated list of apps and gadgets that support walking a Camino
  • Camino Booklist.pdf
    – a list of books about the Camino, as read and recommended by our members
Map showing the most popular Camino routes
For more information on these and other Camino-related topics, check out our Facebook page and our private group on Facebook (which individuals must request to join).

Also, the Canadian Company of Pilgrims’ has a Facebook Page, and excellent websites and resources can be found under the “Resources” menu item above.

Canadian Company of Pilgrims