Trio bikes across West to raise diabetes awareness

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Two Saskatoon police officers and a former University of Saskatchewan student travelled from Vancouver to Saskatoon by bicycle in at attempt to increase awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and to build stronger Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relationships.

Saskatoon police constables Keith Salzl and Tony Nadon and former university student Michael Linklater began their bicycle trip on May 6 in hopes of raising $10,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA.)

Salzl had originally approached Nadon with the idea of riding across Western Canada on their own time, but Nadon suggested that they should do it to raise money for diabetes. They both took this idea to the Saskatoon Tribal Council where their plan met with great support.

"I thought, what a perfect way to say thank you to the Elders for their support when I was in the Aboriginal Liaison Unit of the Saskatoon Police Services," said Salzl. "My job was made a lot easier in the Aboriginal Liaison Unit, just having the Elders support. I feel very deeply appreciative for everything that the Elders have done and I worked with so many Elders that were afflicted with diabetes. And once Const. Nadon said that we should fundraise for diabetes, it all fell into place."

Although the Peacekeepers Pedaling for Aboriginal People with Diabetes (Operation PPAD) hasn't reached their financial goal just yet, the three participants all agree that the trip has been a worthwhile and eye-opening experience.

Linklater is a 22-year-old Cree man from Thunderchild First Nation. He said his main reason for accepting Salzl's offer to ride with them on their trip was because of his grandparents, Elders Walter and Marie Linklater, who are both diabetics.

"They have pushed me in my life and they've helped me to become who I am," said Linklater. "If it weren't for them, I don't know where I would be."

Before they set out on their 23-day voyage, Linklater and the two officers were invited into a sweat lodge after which they each were presented with eagle feathers for their journey.

"The old people tell me that the sweat lodge is the womb of mother earth and so when you go in there, you come out cleansed and reborn," said Linklater.

Linklater compared the bicycle journey to a diabetic's struggle with the disease.

"We travelled in our vehicle all the way to Vancouver, which was a breeze, just like people without diabetes. They just live their life with no problems and taking obstacles as they come."

When they travelled through the mountains by bicycle on the way back to Saskatoon, they had their ups and downs, just like people with diabetes. "They have good and bad days," Linklater said.

"As we started getting closer to the Prairies, it started to smooth and flatten out as would a diabetic's life as they learn to live with the disease. That's how I seen this journey," he said.

"And seeing Canada, this beautiful country, the way it should be seen. You would never be able to see what we've seen if you were zooming by in your vehicle."

Linklater said he would never forget some of the people he met along the way.

One person in particular stands out for Linklater, Salzl and Nadon. While they were in Fort Macleod in southern Alberta, a little boy ran up to the three cyclists and gave them his lunch money.

"I will never forget that for as long as I live," said Linklater.

According to Salzl, the school in Fort Macleod that the little boy attended raised approximately $350 for the trio. On top of that, the children lined the streets in front of the school as a send off to the cyclists.

"The send off was absolutely beautiful," said Salzl. "People we didn't know were coming up to us and giving us hugs because of what we were doing."

Salzl said he doesn't expect everyone to get involved the way the people did in Fort Macleod, but he said the kind of support from the communities along the route needs to be promoted next time around, although hether another ride like this will happen in the future is something that needs to be discussed between the officers and the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

"We can only build on it," said Salzl. "This ride was to not only promote the Canadian Diabetes Association but to build on the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relationships. By using the police and the tribal council as partners, that shows everybody that we can work together to make things work. It's doing things like this that breaks down the barriers and allows people to see that partnerships can be formed."

The final leg of the journey was travelled on Highway #11 to Saskatoon. The trio arrived home in Saskatoon on May 28 extremely tired while at the same time feeling wonderful about what they had accomplished. Supporters celebrated their arrival at the police headquarters building.

"I felt extremely tired, but for me it was almost life changing," Salzl said. "It's had me doing a lot of reflecting on what I want to do in the future."

"I think we were all physically tired," said Nadon. "I think it was just an overwhelming accomplishment ... It was just fabulous."

When asked if he would do a trip like this again, Linklater said he would love to, but would also love to give up the opportunity for someone else to experience.

"I would almost see it as greedy if I did it again," he said.

"Growing up, my grandparents taught me to only take what we need and this trip was all I needed. For someone else to experience this phenomenal trip would just be one more person to get touched in that special way."

To help Operation PPAD reach its fundraising goal, donations can be made at any CDA office. To find the location of the office closest to you, visit the CDA Web site at www. diabetes.ca or call 1-800-996-4446.