Kwe friends, family, and running community,

On June 6, I’m taking on a 40km technical trail across 900m of elevation gain at the Great Northern Trail Race in Ktaqmkuk (NL). I’m fundraising in support of my sister Kaitlin Rizarri’s Head Woman Old Style Jingle Dress Special, taking place at the Miawpukek Mawiomi on July 4th/5th, 2026. (Pictured below: Sabrina (left) and Kaitlin (right) at the Miawpukek Mawiomi in 2025! )

In the running world, we talk about grit as the ability to keep putting one step in front of the other, even when everything in your body is telling you to stop. It’s tough perseverance in the face of intense physical and emotional adversity. On the harsh, rugged trails of the Northern Peninsula, grit will be what keeps me moving, one laboured step at a time.

But for every runner, that grit - that ability to keep moving - always comes from somewhere. Something that grants them the deep inner strength necessary to make it to that finish line, no matter how many more kilometers they’ve got.

For me, during this upcoming race, that strength comes from my love for the Indigenous community of Ktaqmkuk and across Turtle Island. Every kilometer and every muddy step of this 40K will be a dedicated effort toward something much bigger: celebrating Indigenous athleticism as healing, joy as reclamation, and community as grounding.

I’m reaching out especially to fellow runners, outdoor enthusiasts, and allies to help bring this dream to life: through your support or contribution. By supporting this run, you are helping us honour the same endurance and spirit that our dancers carry around the arbour.

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MOVEMENT AS MEDICINE

For many of us in the running community, movement is our medicine. It’s how we process life, find clarity, and reconnect with ourselves and the land. It teaches us patience, resilience, and how to keep going, even when things feel heavy.

Kaitlin carries this same responsibility through her style of dancing, Old Style Jingle Dress, the original form of the dance coming from Anishinaabe territory. In our communities here in Ktaqmkuk, this is not just a dance style. It is prayer, ceremony, and a form of healing that is carried with deep care and responsibility. (Pictured below: Kaitlin dancing old-style jingle as head woman at Liverpool powwow, 2025)

She grew up dancing, following in the footsteps of her mom, and later found jingle dress in her 20s with the support of her community in Elmastukwek and alongside friends in Tkaronto. Since then, dancing has become a central part of her life. She has dedicated herself to learning, practicing, and refining her style, travelling across Turtle Island, placing within her first years, and building a strong foundation through consistent training and movement so she can carry the dance in a good way.

Just as a runner trains for months to prepare their body for distance and endurance, a jingle dress dancer practices with discipline and intention to carry the weight of the cones and the responsibility of the dance. Both ask for strength, commitment, and trust in the process.

By supporting this fundraiser, you are recognizing that Indigenous athleticism is healing. Whether in a pair of trail shoes or in a jingle dress, movement is what keeps us grounded, present, and connected. (Pictured below: Me at the finish line of my first ultra (Steep50K), just months after losing my mum)

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WHAT IS AN OLD STYLE JINGLE DRESS SPECIAL?

For those outside the powwow circle, or those who are new to the idea, a “special" is a sponsored, honorary dance category. It is organized to honour a specific theme - in this case, Kaitlin is dedicating the special to Dancing for Our Lands and Waters. Outside of dancing, Kaitlin is a farmer and has paid specific attention to how the climate crisis is affecting our territory. As we continue to witness berry-picking places disappearing or being damaged on the West Coast, the dedication feels very important. Through this special, we are gathering jingle dress dancers to pray for our lands and waters.

This is the first competition of its kind on the island, created to give our dancers a space to showcase their skill and build confidence. By sponsoring this special, we are providing the prize money and gifts that recognize the dancers’ dedication. In a time of climate crisis where our sacred berry-picking grounds and waters are at risk, this dance is a collective prayer for the health of our environment. (Pictured below: official poster for the Old Style Jingle Dress Special, July 2026)

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40KM CHALLENGE: THE GREAT NORTHERN TRAIL RACE‍‍

I chose this 40K challenge because it reflects the energy and commitment Kaitlin is pouring into this special. I want my physical effort on the trail to match the weight of the work being done for our community. Joy as reclamation means we choose to celebrate our culture and our strength, even when the climb is steep.

If you’re curious, I’ve listed the trail map and info below:

https://www.strava.com/routes/3455040475277026282

@greatnortherntrailassociation

https://gnta.ca/trail-race-registration/

And if you’re super ‘ultra’ curious, here’s a shameless S/O to my running coach Jon (he’s the best):

@wayboundrunning

https://wayboundrunning.com/

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TRANSPARENCY: THE BUDGET

We are committed to being fully transparent about how your donations will be used. Kaitlin is leading the way by contributing $1,500 of her own powwow winnings, and all Ktaqmkuk berry earring sale proceeds to start the fund. We need your help to cover the rest.

Where the funds go:

Total = $6,390 - [$1,500 (Kaitlin’s Powwow winnings) + $1350 (Ktaqmkuk berry earring sales)] = $3,540

Our initial goal: $2,500

To cover all expenses directly related to hosting the jingle dress special

Our bells n whistles goal: $3,540

If/when we meet our initial goal, we hope to cover our modest travel and accommodation expenses

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HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

Supporting this fundraiser means supporting our local jingle dress dancers and community. You are helping create a space where they can stand tall and be proud of who they are, connected to kin and culture.

Wela’lioq; thank you for being part of this journey.

With gratitude,

Sabrina Muise & Kaitlin Rizarri