Cody Thunderchild at the Vancouver marathon Sunday. (Cody Thunderchild/Facebook)

By Angela Brown

Raising awareness

Thunderchild FN man completes Vancouver Marathon for Mental Health

May 8, 2023 | 5:39 PM

A Thunderchild First Nation man put his heart into a personal test he set for himself to promote mental health.

Cody Thunderchild participated in the BMO Vancouver Marathon on Sunday to raise awareness about the issue and completed a half marathon, roughly 21.1 kilometres.

The 53-year-old said he did it to encourage youth at risk of suicide to never give up hope.

“I did it for the kids,” he said. “The social issue I ran for is for the suicide issue we have on my First Nation – Thunderchild, and all over every First Nation.”

With May being National Mental Health Awareness Month, Thunderchild hopes the commitment he showed by taking part in this marathon and challenging himself, will serve as an example for youth to believe in themselves and follow their dreams in life.

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“A lot of the older folks have to have been there, in that state of thinking of suicide. I want to wake those people up, so they won’t be hard on the kids who are thinking of suicide, and to be kinder to them.”

To prepare for the marathon, Thunderchild started running on a regular basis on the track at the NationsWest Field House in North Battleford.

He started seeing a doctor in North Battleford and dealt with his addiction issues, and began taking vitamins. He also began running 10 kilometres a day.

Today, he lives a sober and healthy lifestyle and is seeing a therapist. He is also a powwow dancer.

A week before completing the Vancouver marathon, Thunderchild took part in a 10 km race in Regina.

“It was two weekends, back-to-back. I’m never doing that again,” he said with a chuckle.

Thunderchild said he also struggled with thoughts of suicide himself over the years, since childhood, but got through it.

“It’s a battle,” he said.

Thunderchild now encourages youth to “have positive thoughts,” and focus on their future.

“There is a world out there,” he said. “[They should] think about their health, and see what I’m doing. ”

Running has been a way for Thunderchild to conquer his demons, and get back on track.

He asks kids to seek professional help if they are struggling, and not be ashamed to ask for support.

Thunderchild said he received support from the Thunderchild First Nation Chief and Council. As well, his friend Ira Horse, through fundraising, was his main sponsor, and helped him achieve his goal, to cover the costs of his journey to Vancouver.

Ira Horse lost her grandson, Davis Swindler Horse, to suicide last year at the age of 19, so the issue hits close to her heart.

Davis could speak the Cree language and took part in traditional land-based practices, like hunting and fishing.

“He was an icon with our culture,” Ira said. “He was really well known all over the place, not only in Thunderchild [First Nation]. He was one of the kids with the brightest future, and the least likely to do what he did. And he did it.”

Thunderchild had Davis in his thoughts too, when he took part in the marathon.

“We’re helping each other in this grieving, and also creating awareness,” he said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow