Saddle up for a good cause

Andrea Roberts
Times Contributor

 

Riders from the Siksika Nation and Wheatland County will join together to remember those with cancer while raising funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation during the first annual Blackfoot Crossing Cancer Ride.
The ride is a spin-off of the successful Innisfail Trail Ride Against Cancer, which has been running for 27 years and sees about 300 riders a year.
Rhonda Leger, one of the co-coordinators of the event, decided to bring this ride for a worthy cause here to Southern Alberta. The event will help to raise money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation for their many ventures. Some of the ventures include the completion of the Foundation’s new facilities in Drumheller and Lethbridge as well as their new project where they go out to communities to visit with patients who are unable to leave for their treatment.
For Leger the ride is about more than just raising money. As a 10-year survivor of breast cancer, she feels it will also be about recovery, as there will be a blessing given at the beginning of the ride.
“It is also a ride to heal because the blessing is been done to heal us and try take away those burdens,” said Leger. “It’s to reflect on what Mother Nature has done and all the damage she has done in the floods because we are riding along where it had been flooded out.”
The starting point of the ride will be at the original signing of Treaty Seven at Blackfoot Crossing – and at that site, they want to plant a tree to honour those that have been lost to cancer, as well as survivors.
The chief of council, the Indian Princess and representatives from the Alberta Cancer Foundation will join the ride.
The trail will go along the Bow River where riders can enjoy the entertainment of local artists and can participate in little competitions such as the best-dressed horse or the youngest rider.
The night will end with a round dance and some traditional food of fry bread on a stick and burgers, berry soup and mint tea.
Eulalia Running Rabbit, the other event coordinator, said they are hoping to get a lot of support for the ride and they already had plenty of good feedback and support from both Siksika Nation and the outside.
The ride is open to anyone; those wanting to partake can call Leger at 403-499-9733 to register. Owners can register their horses for $20 and wagon rides are $30.
Those wanting to go on the wagons are urged to pre-register so the organizers know how many people are coming.
Leger also invites those who want to perhaps watch to come down and enjoy while reminding those that donate over $20 will receive a receipt for tax purposes.