Arbour unveiled in Fort Providence
New community arbour broken in during afternoon celebration
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
The capacity of Fort Providence's new community arbour was put to the test on Aug. 17 as community members packed in to celebrate its grand opening.
Elder Margaret Sabourin, centre, and LaDainian Matto, 5, cut the ribbon to the new community arbour in Fort Providence on Aug. 17. Around them, from left, are Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli, Pearl Leishman, Fort Providence Metis Nation President Clifford McLeod, Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge and MP Michael McLeod. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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The afternoon marked the first time in years that the hamlet has had a designated gathering place for an event.
The community's previous arbour was dismantled when Fort Providence began construction of its swimming pool.
Deh Gah Got'ie Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge said it is thanks to the hamlet's elders that the new arbour has finally been unveiled.
"As time went on, we as a community sometimes had a very difficult time coming together. We had a very difficult time praying together," he said. "It is the elders who kept reminding us: stay together, stay close together and don't forget to pray together."
Mirroring the important role elders played in reminding the community how necessary an arbour was, the new arbour had its ribbon cut by elder Margaret Sabourin, standing hand-in-hand with LaDainian Matto, a five-year-old boy.
Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli called the opening a "monumental occasion" for the hamlet, given what the arbour represents.
"It symbolizes community," he said, recalling how the hamlet's previous arbour was a hub during Mackenzie Days.
"Everyone used to come here . (it was) an annual pilgrimage," he said.
The arbour was constructed by a project team called the Dreamcatchers, consisting of project manager Kyle Humphreys as well as Derek Martineau and Wendy Martineau.
Pearl Leishman, speaking on behalf of the hamlet, credited local leaders with "keeping the dream alive" for a new arbour.
"Today is a day our community has anticipated for so long," she said.
"We finally have a central location as part of our community infrastructure . a place to share the traditional practices of our residents."
It cost about $500,000 to build and was fully funded through Fort Providence's federal Gas Tax Fund allocation.
The arbour has seating for about 600 people.
MP Michael McLeod said aside from being a place for culture, tradition and recreation, the arbour may also help to support economic growth as it provides a draw for people from other communities.
"Facilities like these are the foundation of our communities," he said.
"That's very important for us as aboriginal people and community members."
Following the arbour opening, elder Margaret Vandell led the gathering in the feeding of the fire and the Four Directions ceremony.
It's a ceremony that includes four bowls of food and water to put on the fire. It's basically a prayer, with four parts. In each part, everyone turns to face one direction, then the next, and so on.
Later that day, Fort Providence held a community feast, followed by evening entertainment and a talent show.
