Article and photo taken from The Meadow Lake Progress, 8 October 2011.
The Green party has named the candidate who is runing in the constituency of Meadow Lake in the Nov. 7 provincial election. Her interests and concerns are closely aligned with the Green party,
commented recruiting co-ordinator Sandra Finley. It was like kindred spirits meeting each other.
Merasty, who was born and raised on Flying Dust First Nation, has co-managed the organic Riverside Market Garden for three years.
Her reasons for running are simple.
“I believe in [the Green party’s] principles and policies,” Merasty said. “They needed someone in this area to represent them. They asked me and I agreed to do it. It’s a first time experience for me.”
The widow and mother of five said her main concerns are seducation and health care.
“Health care is a main concern to me especially with our aging population coming up,” she said. “It takes weeks to see a doctor.”
She also wants northerners to have access to good quality food.
“Say if you live in northern Saskatchewan for instance, and you’re way out there,” she said. “When it comes winter time your access to good food is very limited. Unless you’ve harvested and gathered for yourself you might be in trouble by mid-winter.”
Merasty wants Meadow Lake to be a gateway to the north just as the city’s sign says.
“If we had facilities here in the Meadow Lake area where we could store produce and then transport it to the north I think that would be a more viable solution for our people,” she said.
Another issue close to her heart is the incidence of diabetes in Saskatchewan.
“Our diabetes rate is skyrocketing in this province,” she said. “We need to look at the reasons why that’s happening. If we can stop or slow down the progress of this disease within our people I think that would be our first step.”
Years ago, Merasty herself was diagnosed with the early stages of the disease.
“I came home and got into gardening,” she said. “My diabetes is non-existent now because of the drastic change in my lifestyle. I think that could happen to other people as well.”
