'It's a very powerful and emotional exhibit': Humboldt showcases love for Broncos team from around the world

The words Humboldt Strong can't be missed.

They're painted in the Humboldt Broncos team colours of green and gold,surrounded by signatures along withwords of encouragement.

"Keep fighting," one reads."Stay strong."

"May your pain lessen,"another one says. "I hope hockey is as fun in heaven."

Some of these banner messages as well as jerseys, artwork and other memorial itemsarenow ondisplay in the museum and gallery of Humboldt, Sask. They were donated byAmericans, Canadians and others who wanted to pay tribute to the Humboldt Broncos hockey team killed or injured in a horrific bus crash four months ago.

"It's a very powerful and emotional exhibit," said curator Jennifer Fitzpatrick.

"We really tried to select pieces that show how heartfelt people's sentiments were."

On one wall, a drawing hangs of a tree with a heart on its trunkand leaves made with children's thumbprintsin the team's colours.

On another wall, 1,000 colourful paper cranes hang to symbolize hope and healing during challenging times.

There are also hockey sticks, quilts andbanners from as far away as Omaha.

Crash still under investigation

The Humboldt Broncos were on their way to a playoff game on April 6 when theircharteredbus collided with a semi-trailer at the intersectionof Highway 35 and 335, which is about 30 kilometres north of Tisdale, Sask.

Hockey sticks remain outside doorsteps in memory of the 16 people who died and the 13 who were injured, including two playerswho remain in hospital.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

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Truck driverJaskiratSinghSidhu, 29, faces16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and 13 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily injury.

As a way to pay tribute to the victims, people continue to donate itemson a weekly basis at Humboldt's visitor centre, the RCMP detachment or wherever they feel comfortable.

The city decided to putthose objects in a place where the public can view the outpouring of sympathy and read words of encouragement.

"I personally feel it's heartwarming," said Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench.

"I'd like to say thank you on behalf of our community.We couldn't haveprobably moved through this without the help of everybody."

But the pain is still very real.Pamphlets advertising counselling services are on display next to the artwork.

'View on their own terms'

Many of the objects were originally placed at the Elgar Petersen Arena, where the Broncos play, but then moved to the gallery.

"We've had some people that have had a little bit of a challenge when they come up here," Muench said.

"They can view on their own terms. If it gets overwhelming, they can take a step back."

For all the memorabilia that comes into the community, just as much goes out.

Summer is usually a slow season for Mike Yager, owner of Spotlight Sport & Corporate Wear Ltd., but his back room is buzzing with the sound of hats being stitched and stickers printed with the Broncos logo or the slogan Humboldt Strong to keep up with the demand for the team's merchandise.

A portion of each sale goes towardthe Broncos.

"I think people are doing it to pay tribute to the team to show that togetherness," said Yager.

"[It] gives them the opportunity to proudly display that they are feeling a connection to the people here."

Last month, Yager started a guest book, whichalready has 700 signatures, including some from New York City, Russia and Ethiopia.

"Everybody is telling a story," Yagersaid.

"A lot of it is hockey based, but there is a significant amount of people who have been touched in another way."

'It makes you feel better'

Many of the people who are making a detour to Humboldt areconnected through schools, players and families, according to Yager. There are also those who feel impacted because their children ride buses.

The mayor said, "It's been tough on a lot of people. But we're looking forward to get back to our everyday lives here."

That includes a new normal, in which the gallery will play an important role for reflection.

The Humboldt Broncosmemorial exhibit runsuntil Dec.29.

Donations arerotatingon display so everything can eventually be shown, catalogued, digitized then placed in the building's vaults for safekeeping until the community decides what to do with them.

"When you come up here and look at where everything has come from. The amount of work and just what people have put into it and how it's helped our community, I think it makes you feel better," Muenchsaid.