Alex Decoteau Remembrance Run, Walk or Wheel

A popular way to “actively” engage your community in remembrance is to organize an Alex Decoteau Remembrance Run, Walk or Wheel. Help show that Canada remembers!

Why?

• Alexander Decoteau, a Cree from Saskatchewan born in 1887, became Canada’s first Indigenous police officer and competed as a runner in the 5-km race in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden!
• In 1916, Decoteau joined the Canadian army as a battalion messenger, running messages across battlefields in the face of enemy fire.
• Tragically, Private Decoteau was killed in October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele, just before his 30^th birthday.
• In his memory, Alex Decoteau remembrance runs are held every year in Canada and Belgium.

When?

Leading up to November 11 - Remembrance Day - you could hold a run on:

• October 30: The day Alex Decoteau was killed in action
• November 8: Indigenous Veterans Day
• November 10: The end of the Battle of Passchendaele

Learning tools and materials:

• Hand out An Inspiring Runner pamphlet.
• Engage students with the lesson plan A Run to Remember.
• Hang Alex Decoteau posters advertising the run.
• Choose a 5-km route (Alex Decoteau ran 5km during the 1912 Olympics).
• Print some Alex Decoteau remembrance runner bibs. Bring markers so runners can add the name of the Veteran/Canadian Armed Forces member they will honour during the run.
• Download a sheet of Alex Decoteau remembrance dog tags to give each participant after their run.
• Learn more about about him on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.