Riley Barkman

Riley Barkman’s 700-kilometre walk to raise donations for the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre CT scanner fund earns him Wawatay’s male newsmaker award.
Barkman was overwhelmed with the final tally of more than $205,000 raised during the walk, which began March 28 on the winter road at Sachigo Lake and finished April 13 in Sioux Lookout.
“It’s crazy,” said the 20-year-old Sachigo Lake band member. “I wasn’t expecting that amount at all.”
Barkman had been looking to raise the final $100,000 needed to reach the $1.5 million target set by the Wasaya Group to purchase the CT scanner.
The Meno Ya Win Foundation expects to perform about 2,500 exams with the CT scanner during its first year of use, with numbers possibly increasing to 4,000 exams per year over a five-year period.
The CT scanner uses X-ray images to produce detailed computerized 3D images of the body to help diagnose various diseases such as cancer.
The Wasaya Group began the fundraising campaign at the request of former Independent First Nations Alliance general manager Grace Teskey before she died in 2006 from cancer.
Teskey wanted to make sure Meno Ya Win would have a CT scanner to help provide early detection of cancer for patients from remote communities in the area.
Meno Ya Win Health Centre Foundation board member Stanley Sainnawap said it was “very fitting” that a youth from Sachigo was doing the walk.
“We haven’t spoken about this a lot but one of Grace Teskey’s wishes was that the community of Sachigo Lake be involved in bringing the CT scanner to the Sioux Lookout hospital,” Sainnawap said. “We must support (Riley) in his efforts. He is a great example of someone doing something instead of just talking about doing something.”
Barkman began the walk with fellow walkers Andrew Kaminawash and Stanley Barkman and a support team of his father Tim Barkman, Fred Barkman, Danny Sanderson, Robert Barkman, Bonnie Sanderson and Mary Tait. He completed the walk in Sioux Lookout along with Kaminawash, Stanley Barkman, Lawrence Morris and Matt O’Connell.
Barkman said he was inspired by his father and by the need to find ways to help other Aboriginal people.
“I’m feeling better about myself, now that I’ve helped other people, and hopefully save a few lives,” Barkman said.
Although Barkman averaged about 41 kilometres per day during the walk, he never felt like giving up.
“I’m not that kind of guy, I don’t quit,” Barkman said.
Tim Barkman said his son had a goal and nothing was stopping him from reaching that goal. He encourages other youth to do the same.
“Just do it,” Tim Barkman said. “You’ll get the support you need once people see that you’re doing it.