Cyclists pedalling across Canada to raise money for First Nation communities stop in North Bay
Two cyclists pedalling across the country to raise money and awareness of Indigenous health and education were in North Bay on Friday morning.
Nancy Morin and her close friend Karine Mathieu wanted to do their part in supporting First Nation communities. The two friends started their journey in Calgary on June 12 and expect to arrive in Prince Edward Island in August.
Morin is from northern Ontario and over the years she said she has seen a major gap in health services for Indigenous communities.
“We are really hoping that people will be more open to learning and to be able to help spread awareness, as well,” said Morin.
As for Mathieu, she recently graduated from the education program at the University of Ottawa, where she learned more about residential schools and other struggles Indigenous people currently face.
The spark that kept them going
“I think that was one of the main things that motivated me personally,” said Mathieu. “Why did I only learn this in my fifth year of university? Why did I never hear about this before? It was that spark that really kept us going.”
The pair hit their $5,000 donation goal while in North Bay and are donating all of the funds raised to True North Aid. It’s a charity that supports northern Indigenous communities in Canada.
“True North Aid provides mattresses and orthotics. They provide a whole bunch of stuff for Indigenous health issues and also education like school supplies and backpacks,” said Morin.
Throughout the journey, the two friends have met Indigenous leaders like Patricia Ballantyne, a Prince Albert, Sask., woman who is walking from her former residential school site to Ottawa. The pair met her in Kenora.
“She was telling us her story and it was definitely amazing to hear from her,” said Mathieu.
To donate to the cause, you can visit their Facebook page for more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.