Youth recreation centre open on Saulteaux First Nation. Photo courtesy FSIN.
It was a day of celebration on the North Battleford-area Saulteaux First Nation as the community officially opened its new Youth Recreation and Cultural Centre.
The cost of the new 4,000 square foot facility was paid for through own-source revenues and a federal Recreation and Culture grant. It features a fitness area with $17,000 worth of equipment, four pool tables, ping pong and air hockey tables, computer stations, a popcorn machine, a projector for movie nights and hockey, and a lounge area equipped with a kitchen.
“We wanted to make a space where the elders and the youth can come together. They can come out and play some pool, work out. It keeps the kids busy and out of trouble,” Saulteaux First Nation Chief Kenny Moccasin said in a news release.
“The leadership has been dreaming of this for a long time. We made it a reality. The people are pretty excited about the grand opening.”
The new facility is right in the heart of the community, adjacent to the newly-renovated hockey arena.
“It’s all walking distance. The elders can come have coffee, play cards and hang out. Everything’s close,” said Chief Moccasin.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron says the youth and cultural centre gives the community away to address the crisis among First Nations youth by making sure they have healthy social outlets.
“A multi-purpose space like this has something for every citizen of the Saulteaux First Nation. It will bring together the whole community,” he said.
He said the FSIN is proud to see the Saulteaux chief and council bring this project to completion by using own-source revenues.
Cameron says it will be a place for youth and elders to share knowledge, to mentor and offer their wisdom which includes oral teachings of Inherent and Treaty rights.