Our Mission
Northern American Tour for the Health of Young People (NAIT4HYP) is a west-to-east coast U.S. 70 day bicycle tour to promote the well-being of young American Indian people, by promoting cultural, behavioral and sustainable environmental practices.
We are hoping to visit approximatley 20 tribal communities across the route, provide as many bicycles to the youth as we can get donated, conduct a short bike rodeo, and hopefully share a ride and a meal.
Jay’s Story
This idea is largely inspired by Jay Blazek’s youth work with indigenous Māori in New Zealand these past ten years. The connection between physical activity and mental health/addiction recovery has been a substantial component in this work, as well as an instrumental part of Jay’s personal journey in recovery from addiction as a young man. He has been struck by the recognition and celebration of the Māori worldview and bicultural partnership in New Zealand. Having been raised near the beautiful Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, the division between cultures was obvious and stark. In some small way, the intention of this tour is to use physical activity and community/cultural connection to promote physical, mental, and spiritual health for all involved and to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the many tribes with whom we engage.
Tour Goals
By promoting cultural, behavioral (exercise, nutrition) and sustainable environmental practices we aim to celebrate the successes and raise awareness of the challenges for young people in these regards. While essentially a solo ride, others will be encouraged to join the ride and support it at various points along the route.
The tour team plans to engage in a community cultural exchange and donate community bicycles at each tribal visit (approximately twenty tribes in total).
A fun bike rodeo will be conducted at each visit to promote basic riding skills. Beyond this brief exchange the tour plans to establish long term relationships and report on positive outcomes related to the tour’s efforts. We are currently soliciting sponsorship from bicycle manufacturers and other community-minded companies/organizations as well as establishing a social media presence to support our efforts financially and otherwise.
When
Summer, 2023
Where
Starting at Neah Bay, on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, the Tour runs through the ancestral lands of the Northern American tribes and nations and ends with the Mashantucket (Western) Piquot Tribal Nation in Connecticut.
Why
Learn, listen, engage, support and promote bicycle riding for Native American youth and their families.
