A group of cyclists hit the road to bring an important cause to light.
The third annual Black Lake First Nation Bike-A-Thon group had travelled far from home when they stopped for the night in Bonnyville on Monday, July 15, and they still had a ways to go.
Organizer Janella Boneleye noted it’s a 1,400-kilometre trip they make every year to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
“Some of these kids, they’re facing their own challenges where they had suicidal thoughts, now they’re realizing how to overcome it. They’re starting to know how to overcome those thoughts, and how to deal with it,” she explained.
The group of roughly 30 cyclists left Black Lake, SK on June 21 for their 31-day journey to Lac Ste. Anne, AB. They were aiming to reach their destination by July 21.
Boneleye said during the annual pilgrimage, the kids learn about their religion, how to organize healing circles, and share the daily challenges they face on the trip.
For 15-year-old rider Fayden Ettibar, the few difficulties he experienced on the bike-a-thon have taught him a lot.
For example, he said, “You go on the side, stick together and to the group, two lanes, never leave anyone behind, communicate, and help each other.”
Driving alongside the pack of cyclists was their chaperones, who had signs strapped to their vehicles asking others to slow down as they passed.
While riding along the highways, Boneleye said “there’s a lot of supporters, where they (would) honk” when they went by.
They travelled for roughly nine hours each day before breaking for the night at various locations along the way.
“We’ve been getting a lot of support,” Boneleye expressed.
Along with camping outside, they also had groups offer them other spaces such as halls and gyms.
The first bike-a-thon was hosted in 2000 in Black Lake. Inspired by the original event, a group from the First Nation came together in 2018 to coordinate the trip to Lac Ste. Anne.
“It’s important to set up a role for the young people to open their eyes open that there’s hope out there to have a good life, instead of just committing suicide, and turning to God,” detailed John Toutsaint, bike-a-thon organizer and band councillor for Black Lake First Nation.
According to Toutsaint, less than 20 riders participated in last year’s ride.
“The first time we started it, nobody was working together. There’s still a challenge, but now, we’re like a family. Everybody’s aware to help out, and we can do things together . If somebody’s sad or something like that, we approach them and then cheer them on, encourage them, and keep them going to reach our destination,” he added.
Toutsaint said the weather for the trip was good, and “Mother Nature has been kind to us.”
Second time participant Devin Broussie, 16, agreed with Toutsaint about the weather conditions. Although, the heat did make it difficult for him at times.
The group expressed their thanks for all the support they’ve received from communities along the way.
