COTE FIRST NATION — Cote First Nation held a grand opening for its newly established Youth Recreation Site on the Oct. 16, marking a significant milestone in providing a safe and engaging space for local children. The event, which drew an enthusiastic crowd, began with a prayer by Elder Reggie Severight and the Yorkton tribal council drum group playing several songs.
Chief George Cote was one of the first speakers of the grand opening saying, “We're thankful for all the work that has been done to make this dream possible for our children, to give them an environment which is safe for them to come and play. Because our children, our youth are the future.
“We want to let them know that we care about them and we want to provide things for their ability to grow not only their education but in recreation as well. The recreation part is very important to develop the mind so that they can communicate with one another on a healthy level with no bullying and no lateral violence. Just being thankful for each day we were given. I just want to say thank the good Lord for all the blessings he's providing for our community, the elders for their prayers and church groups as well. Thank you guys, for the community of Cote, for supporting the leadership, supporting us in every way that we can to make our community a safe place to live and I’d like to welcome our neighbour, Mayor Nancy. In the Spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we worked with them in partnerships as we developed over the years and of course, the Yorkton Tribal Council working with the other First Nations in collaboration for what we're doing today. So with that, I'd like to say, children, this is for you guys, look after it.”
Arlene Pinay, the community navigator for Cote FN said, “Phase One (of the recreation area) was a cost of approximately $1.2 million. So I just wanted to share that with you. And that came through our CD Way funding and some of you are probably wondering what CD Way funding is, community development wraparound initiative. Cote First Nation was one of 22 nations selected in Canada to participate in this initiative. This phase actually isn't done yet. There is solar power that's coming, it'll be here in about eight to 10 weeks. That's going to be installed here. And there's also going to be a phase two which includes a spray park and that's going to be located over here in the north side. Along with that, we are planning and again, this is all pending funding, the other piece of course is a picnic area and a change and washroom station for this area right here as well.”
Mayor Nancy Brunt said, “The partnerships that we've created between the town of Kamsack and Cote are so vitally important to all of us and this playground and skate park that you've created out here is simply amazing. It's a wonderful thing for your youth to have. It's great for kids to be able to get outside and play and not spend too much time inside on TV and computers and they do that all the time in school. So this is a beautiful, absolutely beautiful thing that you have created out here for your youth. And I congratulate you all on what you have achieved. This is so… I just don't have words! It's amazing. It's wonderful. And it's wonderful to see how much you care for the children. And so I just say congratulations on this beautiful park.”
Yorkton Tribal Council (YTC) Chief Isabel O’Soup expressed admiration for the project, highlighting the positive impact it will have on Cote's youth. The Youth Recreation Site aims to provide a nurturing and fun environment where children can develop social skills, engage in healthy activities, and grow within their community.
YTC Chief Isabel O’Soup said, “The first thing that I noticed when I pulled up was there's a little group of kids sitting at the back and they're all sitting nice on the chairs and I said ‘Wow, look at all these kids. So well-behaved.’ How do you get little kids to sit over there when this (the playground) is over here? So hats off to all the parents that and even these kids. If there's one thing that I can learn today and I try to learn something new every day, is look at their willpower. That's maybe something that we can learn from today.
“The other thing I see is all the Cote selects hockey jerseys. Some of them going around with the Cote Selects jersey on and that big arena sitting back there waiting to be opened and the grand opening of that. I am and I am not surprised that Cote First Nation, out of 22 First Nations across Canada, was picked to do this because you put Cote on the map. Cote Selects is one of them that really did it. They are well known all over for their skills and their abilities and this just helps those kids to get that community belonging, that love for their community, love for their people, love for the other children by having those social skills and interacting and this is what contributes to that.”
Mavis Watson brought a letter from MP Cathay Wagantall, and said “On behalf of Kathy I'd like to present this letter to all of you. And she says, 'I'm so sorry that I cannot be with you as you gather today to celebrate the grand opening of the Youth Recreation Center. Having a space dedicated to the youth of Cote First Nation is a testament to the value of your community and community leaders for generations to come. Our children and our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren are our future leaders and our caretakers, they deserve every opportunity to succeed. We need you to succeed so that you can lead and help shape this great nation. Today's celebration and this location brings with it so many opportunities for sharing, learning and growth and I am honoured to congratulate Cote First Nation and all of those involved in imagining and creating this youth recreation site.'”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the Youth Recreation Site, where children could finally release their contained enthusiasm as they eagerly explored the playground and enjoyed the festivities.
Don't count on social media to deliver your local news to you. Keep your news a touch away by bookmarking the Kamsack Times' homepage at this link.
Here's why you should bookmark your favourites.
Bookmark SASKTODAY.ca, Saskatchewan's home page, at this link.
