Live from Winnipeg Manitoba
WINNIPEG, MB – NEWS – Stanley Barkman from Sachigo Lake First Nation, ON is walking 2080 kilometers form Sioux Lookout, ON to Fort McMurray, AB to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the Fort McMurray devastating wildfire. On May 9th 2016 Stanley started his journey and was joined shortly thereafter by David Barkman. They will be arriving in Winnipeg Monday May 16 2016.
A Meet and Greet event has been organized for Tuesday May 17th 2016 from 1 to 3pm at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre located at 45 Robinson St in Winnipeg. It is open to the general public and media.
The Meet and Greet will also be Live on NetNewsLedger.com
On Tuesday May 17th, Stanley and David will start their walk from the Petro Canada on Lagimodiere Blvd (Trans Canada and Hwy 59 intersection) and make their way over to the Meet and Greet event. If you’d like to join them on their walk, see the Facebook group for route map details. Walking for Fort McMurray
Stanley and David look forward to this opportunity to thank people, share some of their stories and to do more fund raising. Donations are welcome at this event.
Stanley says that he is determined to do this walk “To help rebuild Fort McMurray and surrounding communities”. If he can help even one or two families or even rebuild a hospital, then this journey will be worth it. Stanley states that “No one deserves to lose their home, neighbourhood or even their town from this devastating wild fire.”
Over the last week, the outpouring of love and support has been unbelievable. People are stopping to wish him well, others are offering new running shoes, accommodations, food, drinks and many making donations in person. Many people from Fort McMurray who are making their way back to Ontario have also stopped to thank him.
On Friday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau contacted Stanley through a FaceTime call as a sign of support and to acknowledge what he is doing to help Fort McMurray.
His Facebook group has gone viral with over 16,000 members in a week and with tens of thousands post likes, shares and comments. Stanley has let members know that he is humbled by the engagement and apologizes that he can’t reply to all the comments and messages due to the volume although he wishes he could.
You can follow and support their journey by joining their Facebook group Walking for Fort McMurray
Walking with Stanley is his cousin David Barkman and his father Robert and Barb are providing support services along this journey.
Many options available for making a donation:
- Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/Walk4FortMcMurray
- CIBC Bank Deposit. We’d like to thank you for your bank deposit so please email us at WalkingForFortMcMurray@gmail.com with your name and donation amount so we can officially thank you for your donation.
- Transit # – 00387
- Account # – 5459435
- Name of Account Holder: L. Barkman
- E-money transfer to barkmanr@yahoo.ca – make the password – walking
- Donate to Stanley directly along his journey.
We’d also like to acknowledge Steven Morris, walking from Sioux Lookout to Thunder Bay to raise awareness about violence and bullying. You can follow and support their journey by joining the Facebook group Josh Nanokeesic Walk
