Alex Decoteau Remembrance Run, Walk or Wheel
Details
Alex Decoteau winning a race. Photo: Provincial Archives of Alberta
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 30th 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.
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