Solidarity Bike Tour for Assembly of 7 Generations

From July 10th to 17th, members of Climate Justice Ottawa (CJO) will be biking 500 km on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory from Ottawa to La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve and back to Ottawa to raise funds and awareness for the Assembly of 7 Generations (A7G), an Indigenous owned non-profit organization focused on cultural empowerment for urban Indigenous youth in Ottawa.

While CJO seeks an end to the fossil fuel era and a healthier future, we recognize that we must take leadership from Indigenous nations and communities when taking steps towards this goal. Mutual aid efforts - not simply fundraising - are a small step in returning what has been stolen from these nations in so-called "Canada". We will use the visibility of a bike tour to not only raise funds for A7G’s work (that offers life-sustaining support for Indigenous youth), but to promote the importance of settler solidarity with Indigenous nations and communities asserting their inherent rights to land, self-determination, cultures, and languages. We hope that our public-facing allyship effort will encourage others to do the same.

Do you want to get involved?! While our tour group is closed to keep everyone COVID-safe, we have an exciting way for you to participate on your bike in your neighbourhood:

Step 1: During the week of July 10-17, go for a bike ride and take a few photos of your ride.
Step 2: In a story or post on any social media platform, share your photos and share your reflections on indigenous rights. Don't forget to tag CJO!
Step 3: Share the link to our fundraising page and encourage your friends & family to donate to A7G on your behalf.  Every time you participate and tag CJO, you'll be entered to win a CYCLING PRIZE PACK that includes a $50 Bushtukah  gift card and a full bike tune-up from Tall Tree Cycles 

Stay tuned to Climate Justice Ottawa's social media channels for:

• Live on-tour updates from July 10th - July 17th
• A solidarity ride led by members of CJO in downtown Ottawa
• Indigenous solidarity resources

• Weekly events like their Friday Night Gatherings for Indigenous youth (now outdoors!) and Young Men’s Support Circle on Wednesdays open to all young male-identifying Indigenous folks
• A marketplace based on a traditional barter system filled with Indigenous-made goods, clothing, and food
• Research and report writing to guide organizations and governments to do better work with Indigenous youth, like their Youth Services Evaluation
• Seasonal and land-based community events & projects (Community Garden, Land Camp, Round Dance, Elders & Youth Gathering)
• Weekly language drop-ins (Nehyawewin and Inuktitut coming soon!)
• Emergency response for Indigenous youth in Ottawa, including mental health support, distributing culturally relevant care packages, and support in navigating youth services

100% of donations will be going directly to A7G!!!

Thank you so much for your support and solidarity.