In a remote First Nation too often touched by tragedy, members of the RCMP detachment are trying to make a difference with something many of us take for granted: a place to play shinny.
"There are many challenges to living in a remote community, not the least of which is limited recreational activities," explains Insp. Tyler Bates, the RCMP D Division's officer in charge of contract and aboriginal policing services. "Shamattawa RCMP have taken some commendable steps to contribute to their community to address such deficiencies. The RCMP members recently flooded a skating rink by drilling holes in the ice with an ice auger, [and using] a generator and a fire hose to water the ice surface. After each snowfall, the RCMP members scrape the ice off with shovels."
But they haven't stopped there.
Recognizing that many Shamattawa youth don't have the equipment to make use of the ice rink, RCMP Community and Aboriginal Policing Services is in the process of assisting in this effort by collecting skates, helmets, pucks and hockey sticks from RCMP employees and other partner agencies to donate to Shamattawa, says Bates.
"The problem is that there's a lot of kids who don't have skates and sticks," said Bates. "We're still in the process of collecting equipment."
Aboriginal and Northern Affairs is also contributing to the effort, and Charlene Waterman has organized an equipment drive in Thompson, with Bruce Krentz, Thompson's director of recreation, offering the Thompson Regional Community Centre as a collection point for donations from city residents, which will be transported to the community Feb. 22 by Perimeter Aviation.
"This is a very positive initiative and one that requires the assistance of as many people, organizations or communities as possible to be successful," said Waterman, who is a recreation and wellness consultant with Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. "When we hear about initiatives that can lead to the health and well-being of one of our northern communities, we have a responsibility to react and take on a leadership role. When our department heard about the equipment drive, we began thinking of ways we could help. We advised all of our staff and set up a donation box in our office. We hope that the people of Thompson will donate items they no longer need so that all the residents of Shamattawa have an opportunity to use their new outdoor skating rink."
Youth-sized skates and helmets are a priority, but all sizes are welcome, as are sticks and pucks. The deadline for donations is Feb. 21.
"It would be great to have families using the rink together," said Waterman. "This rink gives Shamattawa residents an opportunity to engage in a healthy recreational activity that has the potential to provide many positive benefits. Skating and hockey are the obvious benefits but with that comes physical and mental health, team building, conflict resolution and family and community bonding. It may only seem like a sheet of ice to me and you, but this rink has the potential to provide many positive benefits."
Other initiatives undertaken by the Shamattawa RCMP, led by detachment commander Sgt. Noel Allard, include weekly barbecues the cops put on for local kids.
"Allard is really community-oriented," said Bates, and always trying to provide activities for youth in a community that suffers from a lack of recreational options. "It takes some leadership like that. The interaction between police and youth through these activities is inspiring and demonstrates that collectively the efforts of a few compassionate citizens can make a profound difference within a community."
