Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Serving the Hub of the North since 1960
Volume 57 • Issue 35
CMHA re-names thrift store in honour of Charlie Linklater BY KYLE DARBYSON KYLE@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
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Before he passed away on June 8, Charlie Linklater was as a long-standing figure of the local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) branch, working at their thrift store for over 10 years. Throughout that time, Linklater’s dedication to managing the store and its inventory became wellknown amongst CMHA employees and the community at large. “It always seemed we were going through staff and he was the one that was always there,” said Derren Fulford, housing co-ordinator for CMHA Thompson. “And just until recently he was the only one in there, for the last few years anyway.” Because of his dedication, Fulford and fellow members of the local CMHA decided to re-name the establishment “Charlie’s Store” a couple weeks after Linklater passed away from organ failure at the age of 54. The staff also commissioned a plaque in order to make this move offi cial, which is prominently on display at the entrance to the thrift store. But for Linklater, who was born in South Indian Lake as a member of the O-PiponNa-Piwin Cree Nation, this
position at the thrift store was more than just a job. According to his sister Violet, it was part of his road to recovery. Before moving to Thompson, Violet said her brother wasn’t able to look after himself and was hospitalized multiple times in Selkirk as a result of complications tied to his schizophrenia. But after coming into contact with CHMA Thompson and their Connections Clubhouse program, Violet said her brother became independent once again and found a new sense of purpose. “At his funeral, I couldn’t believe how many people befriended my brother, especially the people who that work within the club,” she said. “Apparently he really inspired a lot of people.” While she’s still processing a pair of family deaths, including her mother’s passing in May, Violet said one of the things she can do to honour her brother’s memory is to take his spot at the thrift store. “I’ve actually been talking to my cousin that works there, and once I get settled in I’m actually going to start volunteering at the store,” she said. “That’s one of my goals I guess, in memory of him.”
Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of Violet Linklater
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Thompson Citizen photo by Kyle Darbyson A plaque honouring Charlie Linklater is on display at the entrance to the local CMHA thrift store.