Rainforest Trail Run reconnects Indigenous communities to the ‘holistic’ health of their culture

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Rosalin Miles and her six-year-old daughter Ava didn’t let a few raindrops keep them from running through the trails of Burnaby’s Central Park on Sunday morning.

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The pair were among the 200-plus participants in the rainforest Trail Run, a five- and 10-kilometre fun race encouraging physical activity among people in Indigenous communities.

Its second year marked a return to in-person races since the COVID-19 pandemic touched down in B.C., said Chris Hancock with the Achilles International Track and Field Society, a non-profit that founded The Vancouver Sun Run in 1985.

“It was so nice to see people again. The warmth between competitors was amazing.”

With health concerns still looming, children and adult runners set out at staggered start times to cover their chosen distances.

Miles, a member of the Lytton First Nation, said she was cheered on by other runners during her five-kilometre jaunt.

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“It’s been a very stressful year for our Indigenous communities and a lot of trauma resurfacing. The trail run supports what we already know and do in our communities — being outside together in healthy ways.”

In her work as a UBC kinesiology professor, the 56-year-old said there is an educational tendency within society to look at Indigenous communities for what they lack in terms of health.

“In fact, I think Indigenous communities are the leaders we should look to in terms of ‘holistic’ health as their members practise spiritual, emotional and mental health during physical activity.”

As Miles ran through the lush forest Sunday, she plugged into a meditative way of thinking that connected herself to nature and reduced her stress, she said.

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“What’s happened with the pandemic has made a lot of our Indigenous communities look at ways to be active. This run helped us connect back to those things.”

For her daughter, Ava, the rain-soaked forest provided a means to jump in puddles.

“It was cute. She finished first place in the children’s race and got a medal,” Miles said. “I am very proud of her.”

The rainforest Trail has quickly become a new family tradition for the family.

“We’re really looking forward to doing it again next year,” said the mother.

The event was held days shy of Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30.

“One day, I hope that each province and territory in all of Canada can host a forest trail run of their own and assist others in learning more about Indigenous culture,” Hancock said.

Proceeds from the race have been earmarked to provide bursaries and scholarships for First Nations youth in B.C.