After whizzing by the community in years past, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train made a stop in Maskwacis Monday evening. “I’m just really excited to actually see the train up close and going by slow,” said Shannaya Saddleback. Two years ago the train sped by the community without slowing down at all. “I felt bad for all the kids and people from our community,” said Saddleback’s sister Josie. This year the train slowed down to a crawl as it moved between Wetaskiwin and Ponoka. Dozens of kids and families came out to watch the lights go by while sipping on hot chocolate. “When we get to come together collectively like this, that’s the spirit of Christmas, bringing everyone together,” said Samson Cree band Coun. Izaiah Swampy-Omeasoo. “To have the kids experience that at a young age makes me hopeful for our future that they can carry on for their children too.” Swampy-Omeasoo said CPKC was unable to accommodate a full stop because of a tight schedule, but discussions about future stops in the community are ongoing. “To bring the Christmas train back was an opportunity to put reconciliation back into action,” said the councillor. Next year they hope to be included in the nearly 200 stops across Canada and the U.S.
