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

An Indigenous man who embarked last week on a 2,080 kilometre questfrom 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 himhavecovered 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 430kilometresto get to the other side of Manitoba,"Barkmansaid Sunday.

Barkmanhadn't even heard of FortMcMurraybefore a devastating wildfire that started May 1 destroyed dozens of buildings and displaced thousandsof 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

Barkmanhas gone on several other treks from his northwestern Ontariofly-in community ofSachigoLake First Nationto raise money for various causes.

In April 2015, he walked to Thunder Bay to raise money for a student living facility construction project atDennis FranklinCromartyHigh School. In 2011,Barkmanwalked to Sioux Lookout to help raise funds for a CT scanner for theMenoYa Win Health Centre.

The 26-year-oldestimatesit will take himand his cousins five to six weeks to make their way to FortMcMurray. He'saiming tocover 60 to 80 kilometresper day.

Father proud

Robert Barkmansaid 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 avideo call fromAlberta Premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeaugave them a boost.

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

One man theymet,who was headed for Newfoundland, told Stanley all about hispossessions thatperished in thefire.

"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.