A first nations man walking across the prairies is expected to receive a warm welcome when he arrives in Virden on Tuesday.
Rance Cardinal began what he calls his healing journey in Sioux Lookout, Ontario in April. His goal is the town of Humboldt and the journey is in honour of the Broncos.
Leslie Braybrook is organizing his welcome to Virden. “I saw a post on Facebook with Rance’s story and it really touched me.
“If you watch all of his live videos (on Facebook) you can see the strength, humility and heart this young man has. I wanted to help him as he passes through Virden.”
Braybrook, a former hockey mom, is trying to persuade as many people as possible to greet Cardinal and his crew when they arrive from the east sometime Tuesday.
She’s arranged for them to stay free at a Virden hotel and receive a free restaurant meal.
Braybrook says she and Joanne Whyte also plan to bake some treats to send along with the trekker.
Originally from the Saddle Lake First Nation in Alberta, Cardinal is a former hockey player who was deeply affected by the loss of 16 Broncos team members in the bus crash.
His exact arrival time in Virden is uncertain as he and his support team will be returning to Winnipeg Monday afternoon to see the Winnipeg Jets play in the semi finals.
They'll be returning to their last location on the TransCanada Highway to resume their walk into Virden on Tuesday.
