The Rider.
Athlete. Traveler. Blue collar worker.
Rediscovering fulfillment through empowerment.
Origins.
Like a lot of realizations in life, it started with a feeling of disappointment and disillusion. Things should be better…
My name is Christopher Scarpelli Flanagan. Cycling has been a life-long obsession which has taken me around the world, challenging both body and mind, but after a series of injuries throughout my racing career, I realized that I had not seen the whole picture. I had been in an insulated chamber, and the increasingly catastrophic natural disasters, poverty in our communities, and health epidemics amongst our People were now impossible to ignore.
That’s why I started the Ride for Buffalo Campaign, to take a stance and engage our community in a way that could benefit the Land, and the People in a multitude of ways based on the simple action of discussion. By providing a foundation of respect, outreach, and understanding, we can build the pillars of new economic opportunity, cultural healing, and environmental restoration, fundamental to the health of all. For me, this comes in the form of the BUFFALO, a symbol of America, a keystone species, and a cultural icon.
“It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed”
In a turbulent time of pandemics, war, and changing climates, there is hope for humanity if we can build a strong sense of community through support for our Brothers and Sisters, respect of the Land we came from, and a mutual understanding of our collective needs.
Philanthropic bicycle shop and outreach center
The Northwest Hub
partners with
The InterTribal Buffalo Council
Bikes and Buffalos Forever.
What Do They Do?
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A 501c3 nonprofit, we provide bicycle reclamation, distribution, income-based discounts, and traditional sales and bicycle services to the Salem community. In addition, our program accommodates youth job training, volunteer opportunities, and migrant worker and refugee outreach specifically. Our mission is to reduce barriers of entry to cycling and provide equitable transportation, skills, and services.
Learn More:
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Also a nonprofit, the ITBC is a collective of 82+ Tribes across North America whose mission it is to restore Buffalo, and related services to Native Lands and People in order to preserve the historical, cultural, traditional, nutritional, and spiritual relationships for future generations.
Learn More:
“Sustainability is another word for justice, for what is just is sustainable, and what is unjust is not.”
Matthew Fox
Make a donation.
They once where everywhere. Stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Bring ‘em back.