The Tar Sands Healing Walk began in 2010. It was founded by Jesse Cardinal, in collaboration with the Indigenous women of Keepers of the Athabasca. Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, a Dene women, is the main organizer. One of Eriel’s co-organizers for the Healing Walk is Melina Laboucan-Massimo, a Lubicon Cree environmental activist. Over four consecutive years the Tar Sands Healing Walk brings together hundreds of people to walk in a spiritual gathering to protect culture, environment and climate from the expansion of the tar sands. This women's initiative aims to unite the peoples of the Athabasca River and Lake Watershed to secure and protect water and watershed lands for ecological, social, cultural and community health and well being.