麻豆社区

Sporting her trademark smile and a Toronto Raptors "We The North鈥� cap, Clara Hughes entered the Whitehorse airport to much fanfare yesterday afternoon.

A large group of Northwestel employees, media, and Yukon鈥圫ourdough Rendezvous characters were on hand to welcome Hughes to the city.

The decorated Olympic speedskater and cyclist entered Whitehorse on Day 60 of her Big Ride, an initiative meant to engage communities and youth across Canada in conversations about mental health.

"This is overwhelming,鈥� Hughes told the crowd gathered to welcome her at the airport.

The 41-year-old Hughes, who rode the entire Dempster Highway before a planned stop in Dawson City, told reporters she was exhausted, but inspired by her recent journey.

Hughes and her cycling posse 鈥� which includes husband Peter Guzman 鈥� saw four grizzly bears, six caribou, five bald eagles, and too many ptarmigan to count on the Dempster.

She called the landscape along the famed gravel highway "the most beautiful landscape on earth.鈥�

Her Whitehorse stop appears well-timed, with today earmarked for rest before tomorrow's community events, which includes a public talk by Hughes, as well as a community barbecue and concert.

The ride 鈥� which will take nearly four months and eventually total 12,000 kms 鈥� has been the most exhausting trip of Hughes' career, she said.

"It's just been a wild ride, and it continues,鈥� Hughes said.

"I'm excited to be here in Whitehorse to learn what the mental health landscape is here.鈥�

The six-time Olympic medallist told reporters there are major gaps in funding when it comes to mental health across the country.

"It's a major issue,鈥� she said. "Emotionally, it's been really hard.鈥�

On the other hand, seeing the number of grassroots mental health programs in Canada has been inspiring.

Tomorrow's public appearances include a "Walk and Talk鈥� event beginning at 11:50 a.m. in Shipyards Park, where

citizens are invited to meet Hughes at the park and walk with her to the wharf.

A community barbecue and concert will then take place from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Mount MacIntyre Recreation Centre. Musical acts will include Gordie Tentrees, among others.

Hughes will also visit Vanier Catholic Secondary School to meet with students from all four Whitehorse high schools,

and speak with members of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation at the Jackson Lake Healing Centre.

On Thursday, Hughes will fly south to Victoria, where she will begin cycling east to Ottawa.

Northwestel president and CEO Paul Flaherty welcomed Hughes yesterday. The communications company donated

$100,000 to support her visit to the North.

Flaherty announced his company will add a pillar to its community-giving program centred on mental health.

"Hopefully, this will be the start of the conversation in northern Canada,鈥� he said. "We really want to keep it going into the future.鈥�