MANITOULIN—It has been 10 years since the founding of the Redrum Spirit Island chapter on Manitoulin and motorcycle enthusiasts from across the North and beyond came to Manitoulin Island to join in the club’s 11th annual Thunder Run.

“We are celebrating our 10th annual Spirit Island,” said Club President Robbie Shawana. “This is actually our 11th annual Thunder Run—it’s been 10 years as a chapter, so when we first started our run in 2015. This is actually going to be our 11th annual run since we started.”

So, the club actually held its first Spirit Island Thunder Run before becoming an official Redrum chapter.

As the motorcycles pulled into the Assiginack Community Centre, lining up on the track, the club members from across Turtle Island, some even travelling all the way up from the US, were looking forward to a great weekend of exploring Manitoulin.

Some six chapters had representatives taking part in the Thunder Run. 

“We’re going to go for a ride around the Island today,” said Mr. Shawana on Saturday morning. “Through Tehkummah, Providence Bay to Mindemoya, and then we’ll do a pit stop over in M’Chigeeng for the powwow. Then we’ll continue our way down Bidwell and back here to the Assiginack Community Centre, where we’re going to have some biker games out in the field here.” Mr. Shawana explained that the games resemble a Bike Rodeo with motorcycles instead of horses.

“Then we’re going to have a pig roast later, along with some chicken and we will have some presentations as well,” he said.
Inside the community centre ice surface a number of vendors had set up shop, offering Redrum merch, beadwork, custom knives and a host of other items.

Mr. Shawana said the club was grateful to the vendors who, he noted, had also donated items to the club’s raffle and auction table. He was also grateful to the Southeast Manitoulin Lions Club. “They set up the pavilion here and opened up the bar for us,” he said. “They’re selling some hamburgers and sausages and hot dogs. So, they were able to help us by feeding us and we’re able to help them with their causes as well. Perfect. So nice, scratching each other’s backs and helping each other out.”

“That’s all part of the Run,” said Mr. Shawana. “We all support each other’s runs, and so when they have their own runs going, we get out to them.”

Mr. Shawana had a simple message for motorists and communities across Manitoulin. “Watch out for motorcycles,” he said. “Even though we’re on the road, it doesn’t matter how big your bike is, how many lights you have on, we’re still invisible to too many drivers. People still can’t see us. So stay off your cell phones while you’re driving and always watch out for the bikes.”

The Redrum Motorcycle Club’s motto, ‘Spreading Positivity on Two Wheels,’ sums up the underlying spirit that drives these leather clad individuals. Specifically, the club aims to bring “positivity and righteousness to a city, town, reservation or community near you.”

While the word “redrum” might conjure up memories of Stephen King’s novel ‘The Shining’ and read backwards spells murder, those connections are completely spurious.

“‘Redrum’ represents the Red Drum, the heartbeat of Mother Earth and its people,” notes club member Darcy. In his daytime occupation, Darcy is part of an Indigenous organization that works to force drug dealers off remote Northern Reserves.

The original name of the club was, in fact, Red Drum, but the second d was dropped along the way. The name serves to inspire conversations between club members and the curious.

Redrum MC boasts more than 126 chapters in more than 18 countries, from the US, where most chapters are located (the mother chapter being found in New York City), to Australia, Brazil. Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico and beyond.

The club was formerly known as ‘Redrum Crew’ and is an Indigenous based motorcycle club. Founded in 2006, the club has at its foundation on the concept of the ‘Red Road,’ a path focussed on “brotherhood, motorcycling, community, respect, responsibility, fundraising and supporting family.”

The club takes pains to note that they are not a one percent, or outlaw, club and they are not affiliated with any other motorcycle clubs.

“We send love and respect to all motorcycle clubs and ask them to respect the fact that we are a First Nations people motorcycle club,” notes the club’s website. “Our mission is to bring Native American bikers, brothers and supporters who wish to follow the Red Road together so we can help our communities in need, not only Indigenous, but all in need.”

To that end, the funds raised from the 10th Annual Spirit Island Thunder Run will be going to the Good Food Box program.