Backtrack: Two weeks ago Wayne and I stayed in Dryden with a social worker we had met at one of our hospital speaking engagements. Cathy and her husband Carl were marvelous hosts and we all felt like old friends within minutes of stepping into their cozy home. While we were staying with them we received a phone call from Donna Chief who lives on the native reservation, the neighbour to our last couchsurfers. She called to say that she had been able to organize a healing sweat lodge ceremony for us for the following day. After convincing Wayne that I wanted to drive back 100 kms in the opposite direction of his run, we planned for the sweat, bought the necessary offerings (tobacco, towels, cloth, etc) and headed to the rez the next day.
Cathy had agreed to perform the ceremony for us in honour of Wayne’s run and it had been orchestrated just for us, set up as a healing sweat to help nourish Wayne on his journey. I felt so honoured to be there! They had really gone out of their way to help us, make this a special celebration and give us insight into their traditions and natural, therapeutic practices.
For most of the ceremony I could not speak…everyone else was singing, chanting and shouting out the sacred, “SAMA”, which was to signify that you felt, saw or heard spiritual energy. Wayne was calling out sama every few minutes, he had lots of visitors! But, for myself, I had a lump in my throat that kept me from making any sounds. At one point, I felt mesmerized by the dancing blue illuminations that created a northern lights type pattern along the ceiling, playing like the wind but always coming back to the center, a target of sorts, an opening, central, small, focused and peaceful but incredibly energetic. And then a powerful self talk conversation was generated. I told myself to stop looking so hard and to let go. To just be- and that was a very peaceful moment. I continued to fluctuate between calm and anxious feelings. And as I focused on the shadows I saw an ancient totem face form before me. It sounds kooky to even write it here… Yet, this mans face began to twist and transform into a bear! This really frightened me but I couldn’t look away and felt so fascinated by this twisting image. And then, like a wave it came over me that these two images were one and the same-man and bear, living forms of the same web. And this bear presence continued to stay with me throughout the sweat and I felt somehow protected and comforted.
We all took turns talking in the circle, asking for guidance, healing or speaking about what we felt grateful for in life. I asked for a blessing to this native community, so that they can continue practicing and teaching so that we can all learn how to live closer to the earth.

Many more angels have come our way over the last two weeks! We had half a dozen great speaking engagements in town, but my favourite were with The Challenge Club and the grade seven classes we visited. The Challenge Club is a day-program facility to help support those who face mental challenges. Wayne spoke to ten of their members, all people affected by mental illnesses and it was so enriching. Everyone shared their story and then Wayne urged them to speak about their passion in life and how they could utilize their skills to create their dreams- powerful stuff! The grade sevens were a wonderful bunch, too, because they are at a great age to understand the material and also eager to learn more. I was weary of presenting to 12 and 13 year olds at first, not sure if they’d really connect to the ideas being presented, but man was I wrong! They had some of the best questions and ideas that I have heard over the last three weeks. And they really looked up to Wayne and what he was doing with his life. Most of them stayed throughout recess to ask him questions, take pictures with him and get his autograph. We have also started giving away a pair of Wayne’s rundown shoes at some of these functions. And the girl who won the pair that day was just glowing! She said she’ll keep them in her home for as long as they last and tell everyone who visits the story and cause behind the sneakers.
Next, we reached the boundary/border of Friendly Manitoba! And indeed, it was friends we found there. First stop, Falcon Lake, a beautiful, peaceful space surrounded by lakes, forests and an incredible amount of deer. We spent three glorious days in paradise with couchsurfer Eric Young. The Young residence is a sweet spot where the Planet Earth documentary is played on a continuous rotation, where something is always being baked and enjoyed around a table of tea drinkers, where Aussies have a never- ending supply of energy and a place where people are in high spirits and feel comfortable enough to do headstands or juggle in the middle of the room! It was hard to leave this warmhearted, sociable playground, but we are on a mission here and wacky Winnipeg was just around the corner.
Winnipeg is a jumbled city of confusing streets, a magnet that keeps ‘Peggers coming back for more, trying to withstand the -50 winters while it holds a long list of “worst city for…” titles. Yet, we continued to make friends and uncover the true meaning behind the province’s slogan. Sarah and Chris were our first couchsurfers in Winnipeg and they were super sweet and accommodating. They are a cute couple, expecting a new addition in a few months, who truly embrace life through the down to earth, creative, colourful lives they have chosen to lead. We also stayed with Lukas, a 24 year old guy who has a great hunger for knowledge, a passion for good beats and a curiosity about people and the world around him. Laughter, local brews and St. Paddy’s Day merriment was enjoyed by all at Low Bar! We also met the owner of a local bakery, Tabitha, an ex-social worker, who was touched by Wayne’s run and felt that our project was so inspirational and therefore she loaded us up with sort of free goodies and hearty, energy packed breads. Good peeps in the ‘Peg!
The highlight of my time in Winnipeg actually came after Wayne grazed a bus with the RV’s extended side mirror…both vehicles and everyone involved was unharmed, minus the cracked side mirror. The bus driver came over to the RV to exchange insurance info and shortly after a parking enforcement officer walked over. Understand, this minor accident happened in downtown Winnipeg and we had to stop close to a busy intersection. As soon as the officer approached the bus driver started accusing Wayne and describing the details of the mishap to him. The officer just simply stated that he was not concerned about accident or where we had chosen to park. He just wanted to come over, meet the runner and shake Wayne’s hand to thank him for his dedication and passion for the mental health awareness project! The bus driver was speechless and Wayne was beaming, a surprising and heart warming moment indeed.