Eabametoong bands together for youth playground

Members of Eabametoong First Nation will come together June 15 to build a new playground for the youth in the community.
Courtney Strutt, a teacher at John C. Yesno Education Centre in Eabametoong has been working with a committee of community members since March 2013 to bring an area to the community where children can safely play.
The committee worked with Let Them Be Kids, a non-profit organization whose mandate is to help communities that don’t have playgrounds or play areas.
“For every 50 cents we raise they match us 50 cents towards playground equipment,” said Strutt.
Aside from regular community members banding together to raise money for the new playground, there were initiatives set up by the youth of the community.
Kerry Sagutcheway and Erin Atlookan are Grade 6 students at John C. Yesno. They have been part of a youth event crew that helped fundraise for the event all year – in total, the group made $200 holding events such as movie nights and dances.
When asked how they felt about getting a new playground, they both replied that they felt “good” about the development.
Atlookan said they usually stay inside during breaks.
Kerry Sagutcheway, a student at John C. Yesno, said her favourite event was when the students got together and held a dance.
Strutt said the playground will help in getting kids active, and that additional installments such as benches and picnic tables will encourage parents to come out more with their children.
Jean Waboose, the administrative assistant for Eabametoong and a volunteer for the playground initiative, said the playground project is scheduled to take place on June 15.
“They’re going to have a barbeque all day, so it’s just going to be all volunteers, with the whole community just coming together,” said Waboose. “The equipment will be flown in and community members will be building it that day.”