The baseball field behind the White Bear Education Complex was home to the first official recreational baseball game on June 22.
The co-ed teams with children under the age of 11 will meet once or twice a week for the summer months. The majority of them have been playing together for the past five years.
White Bear Cubs manager Christina Wasacase welcomes all children to come play and to stay for a barbecue that is provided after each game or practice.
Parent Shayna Taypotat from Kahkewistahaw travelled with her partner and child, Gracie Taypotat and spoke of Gracie’s excitement to come play.
Taypotat understands the importance of exercise, having walked for two months from Kahkewistahaw to the former Kamloops Residential School site to raise awareness that every child matters.
White Bear Cubs wore their red and white uniforms that were sewn by local parent Kevin Leduex. White Bear First Nations’ program, which is called Brighter Future, has paid Leduex for his work and also supports the youth programs with snacks and beverages. The barbecue is funded from the White Bear Health prenatal and diabetes program.
Wasacase and Standingready have also coached a children’s hockey team for the past 10, years with a meal provided after each game or practice.
Wasacase wants to acknowledge the donations by the community to make their games and practices a success. Thanks to various band members, Food World in Carlyle, the Kenosee Inn, the Bar Bar in Kenosee Lake, Allison’s Food Store in Kenosee Lake and Chief Ira McArthur from the Pheasant Rump First Nation.
