Neilson Powless on being a native American

I recently spoke with EF Procycing rider Neilson Powless, a rising star on the pro scene, and the first Native American to ride the Tour de franc. Here’s an extract from out chat

ST; How difficult is it for a young native athlete to be able to get into cycling?

NP; It’s something that I’m hoping to improve in the future. A lot of these native communities have a lack of programs and supplies for a sport like cycling especially.

We’ve already seen in Africa, with places like Rwanda trying to develop cycling within their communities that it can be done, it just takes commitment from a few people to get things started to a point where these kids can see that it can be done, and to have people around them to give the proper advice, and provide them with at least a little bit of support. That just opens up the door to more.

There is interest in a lot of native communities to start cycling, or any athletic teams. I’ve been in communication with a few people on reservations, and it’s something that as a Native American that all can relate to. I’m a native athlete, not just an Oneida tribe member, and there’s a massive interest in starting athletic programs in these communities. Not only form a health point of view, it stimulates motivation, growth and confidence – which is what they need most.

ST; What connections did you have to these native communities when growing up?

NP; Growing up we were fairly well connected. We would visit my grandpa on the reservation almost every summer, until we started getting really bust with athletics – then he started to come and see us.

My parents would take us to powwows to enjoy the festivals and ceremonies, and we took part in the athletic meetings they had there. My grandpa would take me to the boxing gym he ran, and I’d meet people there.

There are lots of people into athletics on the reservations, but there are really teams. I can see it being really popular and important in the future.

For my sister and her fiancé it’s already gone the other way and she has the Dreamcatcher Foundation helping to bring awareness to the missing and murdered indigenous women.

In the future I hope to ether start my own foundation or get more involved with this. It’s incredible that cycling has opened the door to these possibilities.

ST: Have you experienced hurdles and prejudice through being a Native American?

NP: Not really. I grew up in California, which is very conscientious of everything. I was also always around athletes, and they are quite welcoming to anyone interested in the sport.

My dad grew up in Indiana, which was during very different time and situation. I was lucky enough that my parents had the forethought to take us to grow up in a place and environment that was positive and nurturing for us.

It hasn’t been that way for some others, but I was fortunate.