Standing up for disabled in the North
- Angela Hill | August 12, 2018
Gary Tinker doesn’t see barriers and challenges as something to slow him down, but rather they make him fight harder for the people in his community of Pinehouse, and for people in the north with disabilities.
“It’s about human beings, how can I help to assist these people to make things better in their lives,” he said.
“When somebody challenges me, I’m so inspired to fight for people,”
For the past three decades Tinker has headed the Federation for the Disabled and, as a Métis person with cerebral palsy, he has been an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities. He has spoken with political leaders, members of the opposition, and sat as part of countless consultations. Currently he is raising awareness on the impact that the end of Saskatchewan’s bus system had a on people in the north.
“There is no transportation in the north,” he said.
“I can’t even go anywhere anymore. Busses were the cheapest to travel with. A lot of disabled people don’t have wheels in the province in the north.”
By Tinker’s estimate, there are about 1,500 people with disabilities in the north – many of them have interacted with Federation for the Disabled.
“I’m able to do something. I am able to fight for my people. I am able to get services for my people. That is my goal. I am so honoured to be alive today,”
He is expanding his advocacy to tackle 60s scoop settlements for Métis people.
The government acknowledged First Nations and Inuit people, Tinker said, but they forgot about Métis citizens who had the same experiences. He says there are 20 people in Pinehouse alone that were scooped from the community. He was one of them.
“They put me on a yellow plane and flew me out of here,” Tinker said.
“I remembered I cried all the way to La Ronge when they took me from this place ... I remember every little detail.”
Tinker said he wants to see settlements in place, with Elders first on the list. He says many Elders don’t have medical coverage, and that something like the cost of a medical taxi can be prohibitive.
“With the 60s scoop I hope something will be done … I hope they listen to us because we are the ones that suffered,” he said.
As well as the day-to-day fight for change in Saskatchewan, Tinker is thinking big. Next year marks the 30th anniversary since he walked the 650 kilometres from La Ronge to Regina on crutches to raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities.
“I want to inspire people with disabilities,” he said
Twenty years later he marked the anniversary of the walk by sky diving.
“I want to celebrate big. My goal is to bring it home to Pinehouse. This is where it started, this is where they support me,” he said.
Tinker is planning an event and inviting everyone, including the current and past prime ministers. He is also thinking about how to mark the 30 years in an international way.
“I want to go to the [United Nations]. I want to go speak on behalf of all Aboriginal People with disabilities,” he said.