In October 1989, Gary Tinker a person with cerebral palsy and a resident of Pinehouse, northern Saskatchewan, completed a 650 kilometre walk on crutches from La Ronge to Regina. Gary undertook this walk to raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities in northern Saskatchewan. In November 1989, a Steering Committee was set up. The committee includes representatives of Northern Affairs, Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training - Northern Branch, Human Resource Development Canada. These agencies along with Gary Tinker and other concerned persons and representatives from the disabled community established the Gary Tinker Federation.