Bio
“The gift is empathy” -Tricia Barker
It doesn’t take long to discover there is more to Tricia Barker than what you first see. Today you would meet a 67 year old woman who works with seniors to help them become strong. But what you will soon understand is it’s only one aspect of the work she does. This is only one page in the book that makes up her life.
Adopted into a loving family, things disintegrated after her parents divorced and her mother married a convicted conman and child sex abuser. It was the tipping point. This led to three years of homelessness and chaos. At the age of fifteen she gave up and moved back to Vancouver.
Her upbringing pushed her to think there might be something more. She pursued a dream to work in the creative field of radio and television. For twenty years she was a recording engineer and then an advertising producer for some of Canada’s most notable brands.
A corporate shake-up and change of direction forced Tricia to reinvent her professional career to become a health care professional. The career switch was a knee jerk reaction. She became a personal trainer for seniors and people with terminal illnesses.
To add another layer into the mix, Tricia changed her inner workings and took her Tibetan Buddhist vows. This had a profound impact on where her life was headed.
in Edinburgh, Scotland
But maybe not as profound as when Tricia opened her adoption papers in 2005 and found her family in Scotland. She often wonders what life would have looked like if this news had never been discovered and this sense of coming home had never been found.
As with all our lives, one beginning ripple can change everything.
Tricia carried on with an expanding career in senior’s wellness and end of life care, but this was always balanced with a growing connection to the Scottish community. Projects arose leading to work alongside the Scottish Govt in Canada to liaison with businesses on the west coast.
The next step was to become an elected politician in Vancouver. No one saw that coming! Even if it took time and energy from her daily work and passions she has always believed it gave her a perspective that few obtain.
Tricia explains that when she considered running in the election, she asked a Tibetan Lama if she should pursue the opportunity. The reply was, “Right now you spend one hour and help one person, if you get elected you can spend one hour and help many. Go and win.” And that’s what she did.
She spent four years as a politician then returned to full time senior’s care. The Scottish pursuits never fell by the wayside.
When asked what this all leads to Tricia is quick to explain, “All life’s experiences: good, bad, happy or devasting, teach us about ourselves. My Buddhist beliefs beseech me to be kind and helpful to all. Personally, my goal is to make my father proud and to be the best god-mother possible to the three most important people in my life… the triplets. The gift is knowledge, but more important, the gift is empathy.”
Now it’s time for her to write a book about what’s she’s learned along the way.
Vancouver Park Board Commissioner
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