Gary Tinker Federation Receives Spirit Award

Premier Lorne Calvert presents the 2006 Spirit Award for Community Based Organizations to a beaming Gary Tinker, while Minister of Community Services Buckley Belanger, and Northern Affairs Minister Joan Beatty look on. The ceremony took place at Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge on November 3, 2006. RON MERASTY PHOTO

The presentation was made at Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge by Premier Lorne Calvert, Community Resources Minister and Minister Responsible for Disability Issues, Buckley Belanger, and Northern Affairs Minister Joan Beatty.

“Community-based and voluntary organizations are the backbone of the high quality of life Saskatchewan families enjoy,” Premier Lorne Calvert said. “The Spirit Awards are one way we can celebrate and profile the tremendous work of CBOs in Saskatchewan and their role in making our province a national leader
in voluntary participation.”

“Gary Tinker Federation, like other human services CBOs, is an integral part of the social services sector,” Community Resources Minister and Minister Responsible for Disability Issues Buckley Belanger said. “It is an excellent example of the determination that exists in the sector to develop caring and vibrant communities and to make life better for Saskatchewan families.”

“Our Board of Directors and staff are very pleased to receive the first Spirit Award for CBOs,” Gary Tinker Federation Co-ordinator George Ward said. “This award shows that Gary Tinker’s 650-kilometre walk on crutches from La Ronge to Regina in 1989 has truly made a difference for people with a disability in northern Saskatchewan.”

Minister Beatty stated that since the inception of the Gary Tinker Federation, “it has impacted many lives, and that the name Gary Tinker is known all across the province,” noting that one of his attributes is that “he is always beaming, always happy.”

“Gary we are very proud of you, and in the foundation that you do,” said Minister Beatty. She stated that the monetary award is only for $1000, “but really, a million thanks to the Federation.”

This is the first year of the Spirit Award for CBOs. It was created to honour the human service CBOs that deliver programs and services on behalf of Community Resources and help address important social issues at the local community level. CBOs were eligible if they had received funding in the last two years to provide programs or services in one of the five award categories from: Community Resources, or the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, an agency of Community Resources.

Award recipients were selected by a group of individuals from the education, government, Aboriginal and community sectors based on their ability to make a difference in people’s lives and their demonstrated success in areas such as building inclusive families and communities, good governance, accountability and linkages with others groups.

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