World Premiere of Documentary Film on the BC-Based Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program
Williams Lake, BC – January 24th 2024 – the BC Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program (IYMBP) announces the world premiere and release of a new documentary film, Dirt Relations: The Story of the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program, on opening night of the 2024 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, Friday, February 23 at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
The IYMBP is a non-profit that assists First Nations in western Canada to develop world class multi-purpose nature trails that promote outdoor recreation and healthy living. Over the past decade the IYMBP has worked with dozens of Nations, trained hundreds of youth to build trails, and engage in the sport of mountain biking, and built more than 100 kilometres of trails.
Dirt Relations tells the story of three men: Patrick Lucas, an 8th generation Canadian from Courtney, BC, Thomas Schoen, a first generation Canadian, and Tom Eustache, a Secwepemc man and member of the Simpcw First Nation. Their unlikely friendship led them to create the IYMBP, and ultimately find themselves recognized as leaders in fostering meaningful reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
“Building trails and riding bikes together has provided us with powerful insights into what it means to be an ally to Indigenous Peoples and work towards reconciliation,” said Patrick Lucas, the Executive Director of the IYMBP.
“Trail building is an amazing tool when it comes to reconciliation,” said Thomas Schoen. “We’re working side by side, in the dirt, we’re talking about the past, we’re talking about the pain, about the hurt. There’s no way to form a better bond than by working shoulder-to-shoulder to create something for the people.”
“Patrick and Thomas gained my trust because they actually came out and built trails,” said Tom Eustache. “They were some of the few people who came to the community and followed through on what they said they were going to do.”
It has been nearly a decade since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report and little progress has been made on implementing its Calls for Action. Now, more than ever, it is of critical importance to tell stories of the people who continue the work to make reconciliation reality.
Dirt Relations is a Stirl and Rae Media Haus film directed by Matt Clark, written by Patrick Lucas, and produced by Matt Clark, Patrick Lucas and Thomas Schoen. The film was sponsored and supported by 7mesh Apparel, Norco Bicycles, Mountain Biking BC, and Fox Trail Trust.
Watch the trailer for Dirt Relations here (button below).
Media inquiries please contact Thomas Schoen @ tom@firstjourneytrails.com or by phone at 250-305-4464.
