Day 17 Churchbridge MB to near Saskatoon SK

This was a hard day.  It started with thick black clouds building as I got up at 5:00 am, Saskatchewan time.  As soon as I hit the road it started to rain and continued for most of the day. Easterly winds became stronger and as I was blown westward.  I decided to try to make to make the 300 km to near Saskatoon to meet Colleen’s brother David who then would pick me up by car.  David, Dawn and their two children live in the country south of Saskatoon, and need to be reached by gravel roads.

In Yorkton I met two First Nations women at Tim Hortons.  One of the women is the mother of a man I know from Owen Sound.  We talked for quite some time about their situation and their view on First Nations experience. They felt that nothing was changing for them and that non natives just don’t care.
“My daughter was assaulted in Winnipeg by the police. She had a cut in her face and needed to go to the hospital for it. She is taking the police to court but now the police won’t protect her when she needs it.”  “A 29 year old woman from the Waywayseecapo Reserve in Manitoba was killed a while ago and nothing seems to be happening.” “My Grandson’s mom wanted to find a job for him with Service Canada when he comes out of jail. The woman at the office would not even talk to her. There is racism everywhere.”  “A First Nations man was drunk sitting on a bench. He didn’t do anything. He just was drunk.  The police kicked and slapped him. I told them to stop but they didn’t.”

We spoke about what needs to happen. “People need speak up and people need to listen. ”  Nobody was sure what’s happening with Idle No More and if it helps make change. The two women had no hope that the Native Friendship Centre would be of any help locally.

When I asked what First Nations Men need to do they said they are too wrapped up in their own stuff and nothing changes.

This was a heartfelt meeting and I felt privileged that the women shared their stories with me.

As I was getting ready to cycle on i received an email from Colleen telling me that my father is in hospital with a lung embolism. This was a shock and I wondering for the rest of the day if I would have to a abandon the Change the Cycle tour.  Many thoughts went through my mind as the wind and rain blew me across the prairies.  The rain kept on pounding, some thunder and lightening passed by, and I was trying to make the 300 km as fast as I could.  Then the wind shifted and what had blown me so far west, now became a wild head wind.

On the way I met some women and men who I briefly talked with about Change the Cycle. One woman strongly stated that men need to start to talk.

After a very long day, Dave picked me up and we got to their house after midnight!  This was the longest day of the tour so far, and I’ll take a few days with the Purdon family to catch up.

Here are some pictures from the tour today:

Still life in Churchbridge

Great meeting with Valentin from Quebec, travelling east with his friend, on the Manitoba – Saskatchewan border

Mozart in the Rain

Saskatchewan Valley