Members of Haida Gwaii Totem Tour gather with renowned Haida artist Ben Davidson (centre left) for a totem pole ceremony in Masset before heading out on their ride      photo submitted

Prince George, BC – The University of Northern BC played host last night to a group of cyclists making a stop at mile 448 – or kilometre 721 – of an epic ride from Haida Gwaii to Edmonton…

The first-ever Haida Gwaii Totem Tour began on June 16th in Masset – Mile 0 of the Yellowhead Highway.  Photo at right (submitted) shows the group preparing to embark on their 16-day, 1760-kilometre journey.

Travelling with the riders and their eight-member support crew is a three-metre totem pole carved this past winter by Haida artist, Ben Davidson.  It's bound for its permanent placement at Edmonton's Stollery Children's Hospital.

Participants in the Totem Tour raised funds to pay for the pole and programs at the children's hospital.  Edmonton Journal columnist, Nick Lees, was inspired with the fundraising idea by the beautifully carved poles he saw during a visit to Haida Gwaii several years ago.

"I learned that totem poles told a story based on Haida beliefs and thought these beliefs could be inspirational in helping families who had a child facing a life-threatening illness," says Lees.

He says it was easy to convince his cycling friends to escort the totem pole back to Edmonton.

Photo at left (submitted) shows riders heading out on the first leg of the journey from Masset to Queen Charlotte City nine days ago.

The cyclists have been making stops in native and non-native communities along the Yellowhead to talk about the totem, the ride, and programs at the Stollery Children's Hospital, which provide specialized health services to children across western and northern Canada.