Fort McMurray fundraiser: Indigenous man walking 2,080 km passes through Manitoba

An Indigenous man who embarked last week on a 2,080 kilometre quest from Sioux Lookout, Ont., to Fort McMurray is passing through southern Manitoba, and he has high hopes the long walk west will help the fire-stricken northern Alberta city rebuild.

Stanley Barkman and two cousins walking with him have covered a lot of ground in recent days; they made their way into eastern Manitoba over the weekend.

• Indigenous man walks 2,080 km to raise money for Fort McMurray

"We've got another 430 kilometres to get to the other side of Manitoba," Barkman said Sunday.

Barkman hadn't even heard of Fort McMurray before a devastating wildfire that started May 1 destroyed dozens of buildings and displaced thousands of people. He doesn't know anyone from the community, but he knows he wants to help them rebound.

"I know it's going to cost a lot of money to bring their town back," he said. "Just to get them started, try to help out as much as I can."

If I can help one family, I'll be happy.- Stanley Barkman

Barkman has gone on several other treks from his northwestern Ontario fly-in community of Sachigo Lake First Nation to raise money for various causes. 

In April 2015, he walked to Thunder Bay to raise money for a student living facility construction project at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. In 2011, Barkman walked to Sioux Lookout to help raise funds for a CT scanner for the Meno Ya Win Health Centre.

The 26-year-old estimates it will take him and his cousins five to six weeks to make their way to Fort McMurray. He's aiming to cover 60 to 80 kilometres per day.

Father proud

Robert Barkman said his son's repeated efforts to help those in need make him a proud father.

"I just want to explode inside. I just have that feeling, you know, I'm really happy for him ... I got emotional watching him, people greeting him," Robert said.

The group has encountered snow and rain, and even a flat tire a few days ago, but they've trudged on. None of those challenges came as much of a surprise, but a video call from Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave them a boost.

Stanley said the outpouring of support and new faces they've met along the way have been inspiring.

One man they met, who was headed for Newfoundland, told Stanley all about his possessions that perished in the fire.

"He said, 'Just bought a brand new truck.' He lost that. He said he had a motorcycle. He lost that, his house — he lost everything, and it just motivated me more," Stanley said. "If I can help one family, I'll be happy."

The group expects to arrive in Fort McMurray by June to pass on the donations they've received along the way.