Rance Cardinal – the man who walked over 1,200 kilometres from his home in Sioux Lookout, Ont. to Humboldt to show solidarity after the April 2018 Broncos bus crash – visited Humboldt for the first time since the end of his 48-day walk last May.
“I was sad, happy,” Cardinal said about returning to visit Humboldt on July 16. He felt “just endless emotions. It just brought everything back.”
His visit included the Elgar Petersen Arena and the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery, where a display in honour of his act of courage is included in the Humboldt Broncos’ memorial exhibit.
Visiting the memorial exhibit was Cardinal's first time seeing his weather-worn sign and shoes from last year's trek. Their miles travelled, evident in the creases on the cardboard sign and fraying of the running shoes, are made that much more palpable when displayed in the quiet of the gallerys white upper rooms.
“It’s like I’m looking at someone I look up to, but it’s actually me,” Cardinal said. “I can’t thank Humboldt enough for this. This is awesome.”
He and his parents stopped in Humboldt while they were travelling east to Sioux Lookout after spending some time in Alberta for the Calgary Stampede.
