Warning: this story contains language some may find offensive
FERGUS – A man living rough with his dog in Fergus said although he’s been let down by society, he's not looking to be a problem to locals and is staying positive
Running Bear has been in the area for a few weeks now, living in a tent set-up near the Grand River with his dog Demon, a German shepherd, husky and wolf mix. EloraFergusToday agreed not to reveal the exact location of his encampment for safety reasons.
In an interview, Running Bear was guarded about revealing too much about himself but said he’s an Indigenous person originally from Mattawa who has been travelling around the province for at least a year.
Running Bear has seen some support from the community who have brought him some supplies and food for him and Demon. He’s looking to keep a low profile and respect the land he’s staying on.
“I’m here graciously, I’m to have no fires because there is a fire ban right now and I’m so close to their homes and I got so much dry stuff around me it’ll set the whole thing on fire,” Running Bear said.
Although he embraces some parts of living outside, his reason for it boils down to affordability.
“We can’t pay $1,500 and up for rent, me and my pup can only pay $500,” Running Bear said, adding this is a widespread issue.
“Everywhere is bullshit, it’s always $1,500 and up, no matter what. There’s no breaks.”
The only government support he said he gets is through ODSP, which isn’t enough to cover shelter for him and Demon. Running Bear said he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney failure, a bad back and a numb leg.
“I don’t really care about that because I know I’m gonna die soon, forget about that health stuff and live your life,” Running Bear said.
Although he said he feels more capable than some people would be to live outside — and he doesn’t think Demon minds the outdoors too much — he acknowledged it can be a dangerous life.
He said homeless encampments can be dangerous places with substance abuse, theft, physical and sexual violence sometimes being the reality. He said he ultimately sees it as a failure of society to support vulnerable people and push them to extreme measures.
“Today’s society is pushing people way too far, why does today’s society have to make one person kill for another man’s things?” Running Bear said.
“We have a rampant disease besides COVID, it’s our homeless, our veterans, people on pensions that need a couch, a room, someone’s ear to talk to, someone to understand and be patient with them,”
Running Bear expects he’ll move on eventually, to where he won’t reveal, and plans to figure something out for housing so he can work towards his goal of training dogs “the native way.”
Despite his situation, Running Bear said all he can do is remain positive.
“You can say a sour word and it will go nowhere, you can share a smile and it can last a lifetime,” Running Bear said.
