Marcus Sayles temporarily exchanged his football cleats for a pair of stylish red shoes.
“I’m not in the heels this time, but I’m definitely supporting the red,” the ever-cheerful Saskatchewan Roughriders cornerback said on Thursday. “It’s all for a good cause.”
Namely the ninth annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes — a Regina YWCA event, presented by AVANA, that raises awareness of gender-based violence and money to assist women and children who are escaping dangerous situations.
“Even if you haven’t experienced domestic violence yourself, it’s really good to be an ally and stick up for those who have,” Rebecca Perigny, the Roughriders’ Manager, Marketing and Fan Engagement, said in downtown Regina’s Pat Fiacco Plaza.
“Growing up with a single mom, I have appreciation for other women and for men who are around here, supporting. I think it’s super special.”
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes includes a walk around the perimeter of Victoria Park, with many of the male participants wearing red high heels and walking in them with varying degrees of success and grace.
“Anyone who wears the heels can speak to how uncomfortable it is, but that’s part of the experience,” said Karina Peterson, the community-owned CFL Club’s Manager, Game Entertainment and Community.
“I think if it was comfortable and it was easy, the walk wouldn’t mean as much or wouldn’t have the same success. That’s the intent and the point behind it — that it is hard and it is uncomfortable. It kind of drives home why they’re raising money and what they’re trying to prevent.”
The money assists the Isabel Johnson Shelter and several Regina YWCA initiatives.
“When women thrive, families thrive,” YWCA CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen said, “and when families thrive, community thrives.
“At our Isabel Johnson Shelter, women don’t just get a bed for a night. They get 24/7 trauma-informed care, help navigating legal systems, counselling, access to housing supports, healing and, most importantly, hope.
“Last year, more than 200 women and children stayed at our shelter and hundreds more came through our outreach services, our crisis calls, and transitional programs.
“We meet them where they’re at and walk beside them as they build safer, stronger lives that are free from violence.”
The prevalence of gender-based violence is such that nearly 1,000 women and children were turned away from the Isabel Johnson Shelter in 2024, simply because of insufficient space — a frequent lament at all women’s shelters.
“Let that sink in,” YWCA housing support worker Morgan Dominix told the crowd. “Nine hundred and ninety-four women and children were needing safety and we had to say no.
“We also know that 66 per cent of 2SLGBTQIA+ people have experienced violence in their lives, and Indigenous women remain 12 times more likely to go missing or be killed than other women. This isn’t a far-away issue. This is right here in our neighbourhoods, our communities and our homes.
“So while you challenge yourself on today’s walk in red shoes, fancy flares, boots or sneakers, remember to also challenge yourself every day to also speak up, intervene safely and support survivors, because your steps matter.”
That was evident from the involvement of two Roughriders players — Sayles and defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr., both of whom posed for photos with countless fans in addition to walking a lap of the park.
“Personally, I’ve never had anything that hits home, but just bringing awareness to it is important,” Milligan Jr. said. “There’s so many people who go through so many different things in life. Just to be able to bring that up to other people who might not be so locked in on it is huge.”
The players were joined by more than a dozen Roughriders staff members, including Perigny, Peterson, Tyler Daku (Lifecycle Marketing Specialist), Kim Gallagher (Director, Talent Management and People Operations), Russell Hardman (Senior Sales and Partner Relations Executive), Megan Herber (Assistant, Retail Operations), Josh Idoko (Social Media Co-ordinator), Ryan Jupp (Game Entertainment and Community Events Co-ordinator), Makayla Lang (Administrative Assistant), Logan Lindskog (Talent Management and People Operations Co-ordinator), Nick Mazurak (Director, Corporate Partnerships and Premium Sales) and Tia Spirito (Game Entertainment and Community Intern).
The Club, which was also represented by two members of the Harvard Media Rider Cheer Team, matched every participant’s registration fee in the form of a donation.
“Walk a Mile is awesome for two reasons,” Peterson said.
“Number 1, it’s the cause. In such a male-dominated sport, being aware of gender-based violence and supporting the cause is really important for our organization.
“I also think that our staff just loves the day as an opportunity to get out and support a different group. It’s a good bonding opportunity and I think that people especially appreciate that it’s such a good cause.
“It just makes sense in a lot of ways and that’s why, year over year, I think people are excited to be a part of it.”
Including Jupp, despite the aching feet that resulted from wearing red high heels for nearly an hour.
“It actually gives me a little more appreciation for women who wear heels like that,” he said. “I never realized how uncomfortable they are.
“It’s a great cause, though, and I’m glad I came out and did it.”
