Mental health crisis in northern Manitoba: First Nations runners walk from Thompson to Winnipeg

Sept. 1, 1980, was the day Terry Fox was forced to end his Marathon of Hope, after running over 5,000 kilometres across Canada and bringing awareness to cancer research.

Now, 45 years later, two First Nations runners – Luther Alexander and Samantha Powderhorn – have taken inspiration from Fox and his run. They just completed a nearly 8,000-kilometre walk from Thompson to Winnipeg to raise awareness for the mental health crisis up north.

It was all part of their Healing Overcomes Past Experiences – or H.O.P.E. – Movement Walk.

“Many people were encouraging this and they were, not just rooting us on, but saying it’s important that the message is said,” Alexander told CityNews.

Alexander, who is from Winnipeg but whose family is from Pine Creek First Nation, says he heard the same thing from many people: there’s not enough help to address the need in remote communities.

“There’s people that are in need everywhere,” he explained. “It saddens me to know that people in need are kind of just seated on a bench to wait.”

Powderhorn, from Sayisi Dene First Nation, says she’s experienced the need for support first-hand.

“You have nowhere to go. You’re isolated already,” she said.” You’re a fly-in and there’s very little resources in terms of therapy, counselling.

“Right away I seen all the barriers and the gaps that the First Nations communities face, especially those in remote, northern communities.”

In an email statement to CityNews, the Manitoba government says it’s increased services in Thomspon and is in the process of hiring mental health workers across the province.

“Our government has been working hard to make sure Manitobans struggling with addiction and mental health challenges get the help they need,” a spokesperson for Manitoba Minister for Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Bernadette Smith said in an email statement. “We’ve expanded detox and treatment services, launched mobile support in Thompson, which helps up to 400 people per year in the north, making it easier to access care when people need it most.

“With a $15.25 million investment, we are hiring 100 new mental health workers across the province to improve crisis response, reducing pressure on emergency services, and bringing real supports to communities in Manitoba.”

Alexander and Powderhorn set out from Thompson on Aug. 17, taking turns on the highways; they made it to Winnipeg in 10 days.

They both say their personal experiences kept them going. For Powderhorn, part of the motivation was being 46 months into her sobriety.

“Going through each day was different and I always pictured my ancestors and all the nations that are struggling in silence,” Powderhorn said.

For Alexander, he thought of his brother, who struggled with mental health and passed away a year ago, after a long estrangement from each other.

“That’s just one person,” he said. “That’s just one case in this whole sphere of mental health and addictions. I thought it was important that I take that first step outside and walk.”

Both Manitoba runners hope healing centres directly in communities can help address the needs of people struggling.

“Sometimes it’s hard to ask but taking that first step to reach out, sometimes there’s a hand reaching in,” Alexander said.