Ep 86 – Justin Martin of COGGS Discusses Their Indigenous Re-Naming of Trails

Justin Martin, Executive Director of the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) in Duluth, MN shares how they renamed their Mission Creek trail network. The trails were renamed using traditional indigenous language of Ojibwe. Justin takes us through the entire project from consolation to activation. Next episode we’ll hear from Paul Perrault: Director of Operations for Bike Cochrane in Cochrane, AB.

Continue reading “Ep 86 – Justin Martin of COGGS Discusses Their Indigenous Re-Naming of Trails”

Ep 77 – A Panel Discussion for Looking at What Comes Next

Looking at what lies ahead, after COVID-19 for Trail Associations, Advocacy and Trails and Outdoor spaces in general. We’re joined by: Susie Murphy, Executive Director of the San Diego Mountain Biking Association, Patrick Lucas of the BC Aboriginal Youth Mountain Biking Project and Jay Darby, Fields Program Coordinator with IMBA Canada. Despite all the challenges this pandemic has created, it’s brought to light a lot of things, one of which is how valued our Outdoors Spaces actually are.

Continue reading “Ep 77 – A Panel Discussion for Looking at What Comes Next”

Ep 70 – What Mountain Biking has done for First Nations Communities in BC to address Climate Change

Jay Darby of IMBA Canada, returns to continue our discussion on Climate Change and what role Mountain Bike Trail Associations can play in addressing it. In addition we’re joined by past guest and Executive Director of the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program, Patrick Lucas. Both Jay and Patrick share their experience of working in remote British Columbia communities and how Climate Change is directly effecting them and how Mountain Biking is empowering these same communities to address it.

Continue reading “Ep 70 – What Mountain Biking has done for First Nations Communities in BC to address Climate Change”

Ep 43 – Working with Indigenous Communities: Interview with Patrick Lucas

As a follow up to the last episode we welcome back to the show, Patrick Lucas. He’s the founder of the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program and shares his “Best practices and guidelines for engaging and working with Indigenous Peoples on trails and outdoor recreation projects”.

Continue reading “Ep 43 – Working with Indigenous Communities: Interview with Patrick Lucas”

Ep 42 – Traditional Indigenous Names: Interview with Len Necefer of NativesOutdoors

This episode we here from Len Necefer, he’s a Navajo Mountaineer and CEO of NativesOutdoors. Using the Geo-tagging capabilities of Facebook and Instagram, Len has been returning traditional Indigenous names to popular recreation spots. Len also helps us understand the value and importance of those names and the effects of cultural appropriation on Indigenous communities.

Continue reading “Ep 42 – Traditional Indigenous Names: Interview with Len Necefer of NativesOutdoors”

Ep 5 – What’s in a Name?: Offensive Trail Names And Why Change Is Important

When it come to mountain bike trail names, which ones are just a joke and which ones are just plain offensive? And what does a trail name like “Squaw Hollow” say about our path to reconciliation? Are we preventing the sport of mountain biking from becoming more diverse and inclusive? Carrie Karsgaard is trail runner in Kelowna, BC and her Blog post, Trail Names Against Humanity, has seen a huge amount of attention and has highlighted a discussion that has needed to happen for a long time.

Continue reading “Ep 5 – What’s in a Name?: Offensive Trail Names And Why Change Is Important”

Ep 4 – Digging For Reconciliation: Relationships with First Nation Communities

How can mountain biking be a part of reconciliation, Patrick Lucas and the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program are helping to build trails and relationships that do just this. Read more about Patrick and his program at Reconciliation Canada where you can find his article Digging For Reconciliation.

Continue reading “Ep 4 – Digging For Reconciliation: Relationships with First Nation Communities”