Cyclist completes cross-Canada ride raising awareness of mental health crisis in Manitoba community
A cyclist who has been riding across Canada to raise awareness of the youth mental health crisis in a Manitoba community is back home, but says his journey is far from complete.
Rylee Nepinak arrived back in Winnipeg on Tuesday afternoon following a bike ride across the country. The 25-year-old cyclist from Sagkeeng First Nation started his ride in Vancouver in August.
He made it to Halifax on Monday, greeted by youth from Tataskweyak Cree Nation.
"My ride is over but my journey itself isn't completely over. I still have promises to fulfill to myself and to Tataskweyak Cree Nation," Nepinak said.
"But the fact that the ride itself is done, I feel overwhelmed with joy and relief and just humbled that I have a new family."
In July, Tataskweyak Cree Nation declared a state of emergency due to recent suicides in the community. Nepinak decided to start the cross-country ride to raise awareness about the mental health crisis in Tataskweyak and other communities across Canada.
"We need to understand that this isn't just happening in Tataskweyak Cree Nation. This happens in our cities as well. This happens in a lot of our northern communities, if not all," he said.
"We need our people to have their basic needs met – proper education, clean drinking water and just over all support from our country."
Tataskweyak Cree Nation Chief Doreen Spence said the community is grateful for the work Nepinak has done.
"For a total stranger to do this, he has never stepped in our community, but yet he went into this ride," she said. "I can't wait for him to come to our community and meet the rest of our community members because I know everybody just wants to meet him and thank him."
Nepinak said he raised about $27,000 during the ride. He plans on bringing the money to Tataskweyak Cree Nation, and hold a sharing circle and youth town hall.
"The youth are going to be the ones deciding how to spend it," he said. "I don't want that to be the only time I'm there, I want it to be ongoing work moving forward."
Anyone struggling with mental health can call the CMHA at 204-982-6100. If you are in crisis, you can call the 24-hour Klinic Crisis Line at 204-786-8686 or 1-888-322-3019.
More supports for mental health in Manitoba can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.