What a wonderful day spent with the children, health workers, our Youth Wellness worker Stella, and my new guide to the Native People Joe.
Joe became our guide to the community he has called home since birth. He’s a well travelled medicine man that has returned to Attawapiskat out of love and heritage.
Our first set of meeting was with the teachers and guidance councillors in the community. We were able to talk to them about Jumpstart and our commitment to the community. Interesting though, as i spoke of what we are here to do and our commitment to the community I look around the room. Stoic faces with a hint (no actually outward mistrust) I used all the words I could to explained Jumpstart. When i ran out of words i asked Ruby another one of our guides to help bring in a sample of the kids activity kit we brought.
New sweep of the crowd – and a new look of awareness. Jumpstart isn’t just dropping a couple of balls from the sky we are giving them a chance to choose their sports for their communities to help their children – and a little awareness of how we are here to stay and help.
Next stop a scrumptious lunch made by one of the elders in the community and off to hear Sami Jo fill an auditorium with words of inspiration. Words filled with YOU CAN, words that the children only heard for the first few minutes – but felt and understood the min she pulled out the Gold Medal. Lets think..... You are in a First Nations Reserve crippled in many ways by the isolation. Hurt deeply by youth suicide – and an Olympian shows up with a medal we only see on TV – I believe with all i am that the room changed for hearing to listening!
I know we left Attawapiskat with a pride to be part of the Jumpstart family as new Community Partners in our new James Bay chapter. I reassured them that they didn’t have to rush into hasty decisions about their activity kit. Now that they have an understanding of Jumpstart I encouraged them to talk to the children and find out what sports they wish to play and help them by showing them that Canadian Tire Jumpstart is here to help.
.......Swept out of the gym and off to the airport – 20 min flight and now landing in Kashechwan.
Freida
