Manitoba teacher cycling 7,000 km across Canada to raise awareness, funds for reconciliation
A Manitoba teacher is cycling across the country to raise awareness for unmarked graves found at former residential schools, and funds for further reconciliation efforts across Canada.
Liam Haime was finishing his education degree at the University of Manitoba in May when the bodies of 215 children were discovered on the land where the Kamloops Indian Residential School once stood.
Haime, who is Metis, said the horror of the discovery hit him and many other Canadians hard.
“When the news came out in Kamloops, I think me and a lot of other people were searching for some sort of action to take,” Haime said.
He decided to embark on a 7,000-kilometre bicycle ride across the country – a journey he calls the Ride for Reconciliation.
Haime is cycling 7,000 kilometres from Manitoba to British Columbia, finishing the journey in Ontario. (Source: Ride for Reconciliation)
He said the non-profit event is focused on the continued fight for truth and reconciliation for Indigenous people, while raising funds for Indigenous organizations.
“For me, reconciliation is a process, not a destination,” Haime said. “It’s identifying the truths that have gone on and looking at and acknowledging the ugly history that Canada has in regards to Indigenous people. I think we’re starting on that process, but I think we still have a long way to travel.”
Haime set out on the ride on Sept. 7, the first day of school for many Manitobans. He chose this day because he believes education can be a form of healing and a path forward in reconciliation.
“The first part of it is looking at the content that we deliver to our children. We need to stop reproducing the colonial norms, and keep on giving kids the same content,” he said.
He said the Manitoba school curriculum needs to be reworked to offer a more comprehensive education on residential schools.
“If you look at the social studies curriculum within Manitoba, residential schools are only mentioned once and that’s in Grade 11,” he said.
“That begs the question – how can schooling fight for reconciliation when we’re not even identifying the truths, we’re not even bringing these conversations into the classroom?”
The ride started from Haime’s homeland in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory. He plans to bike west as far as Penelakut Island in British Columbia. He then plans to head back east to finish in Ottawa. He said the whole journey should take about a month.
He’s on the ride alone, camping along the way. However, he believes he’s joined by many in spirit.
“I have a whole bunch of people behind the door, supporting me. I have the thousands of children who have been found at gravesites who I like to carry with me each day, and I have all the people in my life who have supported me. They’re here to push through with me,” he said.
People can follow Haime’s journey on the ride's Instagram page. There you can also find a link to his GoFundMe page where he is collecting donations for the Ride for Reconciliation. He said 100 per cent of proceeds from the ride will be donated to Indigenous organizations.
For those who are not able to donate, Haime said folks can also commit to educating themselves on Indigenous history, culture and reconciliation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amber Alert issued for 2 toddlers near Quebec City
Police have issued an Amber Alert for two children who have gone missing from the Saint-Raphaël area.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a 'tragic mistake' had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and killed at least 45 people, according to local officials.
What Canadian grocery shoppers need to know about anticompetitive allegations
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Latest deadly weather in U.S. kills at least 20 as storms carve path of ruin across multiple states
Powerful storms killed at least 20 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
North Korea says its attempt to put another spy satellite into orbit has failed
A North Korean rocket carrying its second spy satellite exploded midair on Monday, state media reported, after its neighbours strongly rebuked its planned launch.