When Rylee Nepinak learned about the youth suicide crisis in a Northern Manitoba First Nation community, he was moved to do something to help.
Nepinak is biking from Vancouver to Halifax to raise money and awareness for the youth of Tataskweyak Cree Nation.
Located at Split Lake, Man., over 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg, in July Tataskweyak Cree Nation declared a state of emergency due to numerous deaths and self-harm incidents in the community over the last year.
“It was really heartbreaking to hear. And it baffled me that it wasn’t more prevalent news around the area,” Nepinak said. “This is something dedicated to them to make the youth and the community as a whole feel more important, that we care about them. That there are people that don’t know them that are willing to go to these lengths to show them that.”
A member of Sagkeeng First Nation born and raised in Winnipeg, Nepinak, 25, started his journey on Aug. 11. He arrived in Timmins on Sunday and left the city early Monday afternoon.
“So far, it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve had a great response from people all over the country and we’ve raised just over $24,000,” he said. “My legs still work, and I have no complaints.”
In a July 14 news release, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee said four youth have died by suicide in the community in the past two months.
“The community needs long-term mental wellness supports, including mental health counselling available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; a crisis drop-in centre; and a commitment to work to protect young and vulnerable people from illicit drugs and bootlegging,” he said in a statement.
The community of just over 2,350 people is also under the long-term drinking water advisory affecting 361 homes and five community buildings, according to the federal government.
Nepinak first learned about the situation in the community about a week before he started his cycling journey. He reached out to the Tataskweyak chief to ask for permission to ride for the community. He also spoke with some of the families affected by the deaths.
He set up a GoFundMe page with the donation amount currently sitting at over $24,300. The money raised will be given to the youth of Tataskweyak Cree Nation.
Nepinak’s goal is to host a Tataskweyak youth town hall, which he hopes will lead to the creation of a permanent youth council in the community.
“So that they’re a part of the conversations and the decision makings of the community. I think they should know what’s going on in the community, I feel like they should have a say because leadership has nothing to do with age,” he said. “A lot of our youth are leaders. They have a lot of solutions, ideas and we just need to empower them.”
Nepinak plans to arrive in Halifax in about two weeks.
He’s riding solo on his bike called Grasshopper. With a tent, a sleeping bag, a bike repair kit, some clothes and hygiene supplies brought with him, Nepinak aims to average about 130-140 kilometres a day. Some days, he pedals up to 170 kilometres or he takes it slow, depending on the distance between each town.
He chose to go cycling because it's a “beautiful recreational sport” that, in his view, should be promoted among all age groups as it has health benefits and brings people together.
“I’m not a pro cycler by any means but I do try to give my best every day,” he said.
Nepinak recently was joined by a man from Owen Sound named Frank, who decided to help Nepinak for a few days.
Nepinak said he was overwhelmed with joy when someone he has never met in his life was willing to drive up north to be a part of Nepinak’s journey for a while. They met just before Hearst.
“A kind stranger to come and join me for my journey,” Nepinak said. “I was very relieved because he came to me at a point where I was struggling. My bike was acting up a little bit and it was raining.”
When he’s riding, Nepinak reflects on what he’s grateful for in his life and thinks about the work he’s going to continue to do when he goes back home.
“This is something I view as giving back and showing I’m grateful for what my blessings are. I think a lot of us have a lot of privilege just drinking clean water,” he said. “I’m also in awe of the beautiful land that we have.”
Once he’s done the journey, he wants to continue the work done through his non-profit group Anishiative.
“It’s all about empowering Indigenous youth and youth in general, to help community outreach, help homeless, clean up the community from garbage and recycling,” he said expressing hope to do similar work in Tataskweyak and provide the community with tools to do so.
The youth from Tataskweyak joined Nepinak and rode with him into Winnipeg. That was a special moment for him, filled with emotions, tears and laughter. It was an empowering experience that gave him a lot of momentum to keep going, Nepinak said.
Nepinak’s journey can be followed on his Facebook and Instagram pages.
The GoFundMe is available here.
