Quebec cyclists headed for Vancouver

A group of six First Nation cyclists from Quebec are riding across Canada to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse in their communities.
“We just want to show the youth they can have a better life without drugs and alcohol,” said Evelyn Papatie, a cyclist from Lac Simon First Nation in the Val-d’Or region of Quebec. “I know there are lots of communities having the same problems with suicides and drugs and alcohol.”
The cyclists took the day off from cycling July 19 for bicycle repairs in Thunder Bay.
Papatie said some of the cyclists had issues with drugs and alcohol before the bicycle trip, including her brother Vince Papatie.
“This bike (trip), for them is to save their lives,” Evelyn Papatie said.
Vince Papatie said he had big problems with drugs and alcohol before embarking on the bicycle trip.
“After making the trip, I feel good, better than (last) month,” Vince Papatie said.
Evelyn and three other cyclists completed a cross-Canada bicycle trip last year.
“Last year we were four starting,” Evelyn said, adding that four other cyclists joined them during the bicycle trip. “At the end we were eight (cyclists).”
Evelyn said one of the cyclists almost died from appendicitis near the end of last year’s trip in B.C.
“She didn’t have ID and no money, so the (First) Nation there paid for her,” Evelyn Papatie said. “I said ‘Why are you doing this, we are not from here,’ and they said ‘Every Indian, brothers and sisters, when they are in our territory, it is up to us to help them.’”
Evelyn is planning another cross-Canada bicycle trip next year, as there are other youth who also want to complete the journey.
“I’m very happy other youth want to do this trip,” Evelyn Papatie said.
Ryan Kica, another cyclist from Lac Simon, said they are sending out a message to youth to avoid using alcohol and drugs.
“There is a better life without these things (drugs and alcohol),” Kica said.
Kica said there were seven or eight suicides in his community last year.
“We had a lot of support in fundraising,” Kica said, adding they have received donations along the trip.
The cyclists began the bicycle trip June 14 with the goal of reaching Vancouver, B.C. by Sept. 15.