Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk reaches Nunavut tomorrow

• Clara Hughes departs Kuujjuaq, QC May 1 for the territories, bringing the mental health conversation to Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet in Nunavut tomorrow
• Northwestel is proud to join in sponsoring Clara's Big Ride

KUUJJUAQ, QC, April 30, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Clara Hughes, Canada's 6-time Olympic medalist and Bell Let's Talk national spokesperson, will head to Nunavut tomorrow as she continues her Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk across Canada's North.

Today, Clara has been visiting Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL and Kuujjuaq, QC on Day 48 of her the unprecedented 110-day, 12,000-kilometre bike journey around Canada to achieve a nation free of the stigma around mental illness.

"From the moment we started planning the Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk, I said I wanted to spend as much time in the North as I could. I'm so happy to return here to Kuujjuaq to see old friends and meet so many new ones. Now I'm really looking forward to sharing mental health stories with people in Nunavut as I take the Ride through Canada's territories starting tomorrow," said Clara. "I want to thank the people of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and everyone across Newfoundland and Labrador for their wonderful reception and great stories, and everyone in Kuujjuaq for welcoming me back so warmly."

Northwestel a partner on the Ride
Helping to connect Clara's Big Ride with the distinct culture of the 3 northern territories is Northwestel, Bell's subsidiary serving Canada's North and a partner in the Ride.

"Northwestel is proud to support Clara's journey to the North," said Paul Flaherty, President and CEO of Northwestel. "Mental health is an important issue that needs to be discussed openly and without any of the stigma too often associated with mental illness. "We applaud Clara for growing the conversation about mental health, and we are committed to continuing it here in the North."

Clara's Big Ride in Nunavut
Clara will visit the following communities during her Ride through Nunavut:

Iqaluit – May 1 to 3
While in Canada's northernmost capital, Clara will meet with students, visit the Friendship Centre, meet with elders, and attend a community concert. On May 2, Clara will be available for interviews at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit at 2:15 pm and later in the evening will attend a special community event at 7:30 pm at Nakasuk School.

Rankin Inlet – May 3
On May 3, Clara will  meet with members of the community in Rankin Inlet for lunch at the Community Centre at 11:30 am.

Events in communities all along Clara's route are organized by local Community Champions. More details on these events and the Big Ride Community Champions can be found at Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide.

"In Nunavut and across the country, our Community Champions are making such a difference with their leadership and hard work to make their communities stigma free," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "We thank all our partners across Canada for their support in helping Clara's Big Ride grow awareness, acceptance and action in communities at the grassroots level."

Share in Clara's Big Ride
Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk began on March 14 and will cover 12,000 kilometres through every province and territory before concluding in Ottawa on Canada Day, July 1. Everyone can participate in the Ride through community events and social media. Please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide or follow the latest Ride news on Twitter at @Bell_LetsTalk or on Facebook at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk.

Clara's Big Ride is powered by our National Partners – Aimia, BMO, Canadian Tire, Cisco, Lundbeck, President's Choice and Samsung – who are providing significant support for the Ride. For more information, please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide/Partners.

Bell Let's Talk
Bell Let's Talk promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Northwestel
In 2013, Northwestel contributed more than $550,000 in cash and in-kind donations to a variety of northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

SOURCE: Bell Canada

Media inquiries: Jacqueline Michelis, Bell Media Relations, 613 785-1427, [email protected]; Sunny Patch, Community Investment Manager, Northwestel, 867 332-4357, [email protected], www.nwtel.ca