Travelling bass player visits northern school in suicide aftermath

Felipe Gomez has been touring northern Saskatchewan with his bass strapped to his bike, clocking many kilometres and impacting lives along the way.

• Felipe Gomez hits the highway for Bike and Bass Tour

He began his journey in early September, leaving his home in Saskatoon for his Bike and Bass Tour of Northern Saskatchewan. Six young girls have taken their livessince Oct. 4 in the province's north.

On Thursday, Gomezvisited and performed for a school where one of the students had committed suicide. His performance was the first event held at the school since it happened.

"There's a lot of sadness, but there's a thousand times more smiles everywhere I go," said Gomez.

"Something I had learned in these last two months is just be honestly interested in other people's lives, because, actually as a payback, really good things will happen to you, and I try to talk to kids in the same way."

He said the children he has spoken with appreciate his interest in learning about their lives, and are very open to sharing stories with others.

The journey

He has been braving the elements to travel to communities and schools across Saskatchewan to share the story of his journey and his music.

"This whole tour is based on bringing arts for the kids, and visiting all the schools for the Northern Lights School Division," said Gomez.

He connects with the students through conversations about the outdoors, bicycling, filmmaking and music.

"It's the universal language. I don't have an accent in music, so we can all close our eyes and enjoy music," said Gomez.

Gomez said that, while there has been bad weather, he makes sure he doesn'tcomplain because "it's like complaining of Mother Nature."

Progress

He is currently getting ready for the journey from La Ronge to Stony Rapids.

"This is the one I've been preparing for," said Gomez. He said thelong journey requires him to pack resources like food and water, and preparing himselffor any hurdles Mother Nature throws his way.

He is planning on biking as far north as Uranium City, and cycling back to Saskatoon by Dec. 15.