Driftpile celebrates community hall opening

It’s the moment Driftpile First Nation has been waiting for. Left-right are Elder James Isadore, Driftpile Chief Rose Laboucan and Aboriginal Relations Minister Gene Zwozdesky. They were among the dignitaries who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new community hall March 11.

These gentlemen performed a song as part of the opening ceremony. Left-right are Frankie Isadore, Gabe Isadore, Vital Isadore, Denny Bellerose, and Georgie Isadore.

DerRic Starlight held a hand puppet performance following the speeches. He and Wind Dancer joked about the boys eyeing her for a date. Many laughs were enjoyed by everyone.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

Driftpile First Nation celebrated the grand opening of their new community hall March 11, three decades after the old hall burned down.

Elder James Isadore performed a smudging ceremony outside to bless the building. Following a song by five hand drummers, Isadore offered a prayer at the main entrance. He joined Driftpile Chief Rose Laboucan, Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen, Aboriginal Relations Minister Gene Zwozdesky and others for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Zwozdesky says the hall will be the centre of many good times.

“What brings us together today, of course, is the celebration of this community hall opening,” he says.

“I know that this is a very special day, indeed, because it (has been) about three decades since the old hall burned down and you’ve been waiting for this new one to be built. On behalf of (the government), we’re delighted to be your partner, government to government, in helping you build this magnificent community hall.”

The hall symbolizes the togetherness of the community, he adds.

Calahasen spoke next, congratulating the community for their new facility.

“I want to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart,” says Calahasen.

She praises Laboucan for her vision to get the hall built, as well as the previous chiefs and the current and previous councils for their work on it.

Laboucan thanked the elders for choosing the indoor colours, as it was their choice and not council’s. She also thanked Florence Willier, the director of health, for putting together the proposal for the new hall and Alfred L’Hirondelle, a field officer for the First Nations Development Fund, for reviewing it. The FNDF provided $1.9 million to build the hall.

Laboucan praises Kurt Ostermann, vice-president for Seko Construction, for accommodating the community’s needs and concerns.

“He accommodated us, he met with us whenever we wanted changes,” says Laboucan. “It makes a big difference to see the wonderful quality of work.”

She also says this is only the first of many projects Driftpile First Nation will pursue, including a new administration building and a new police station.

“As long as we have our partnership with the government, we can move mountains. I think that’s where we have to go in order to build other partnerships and other relationships. But it has to be a commitment by both sides,” says Laboucan.

Conceptualizing for the new hall began a few years ago. The final drawings were approved 18 months ago, then Driftpile First Nation and Seko Construction signed the contract, says Ostermann.

Construction started in May 2008. The hall was supposed to be finished by Christmas, but there were delays because there were not enough tradespeople to do the work.

“But we’re proud to have built it on budget,” he says.

The hall is 8,000 square feet and it has a dressing room next to the stage, as well as a large commercial kitchen, a meeting room, an office and washrooms. It was built with an energy efficient roof and walls.

A buffet was served following the dignitaries’ speeches. Later, DerRic Starlight entertained everyone with hand puppets, including Kermit the Frog, Wind Dancer, Warrior and Granny. Starlight works for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and The Second City in Toronto.

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