THUNDER BAY – For months, children attending Matawa Awashishewiigiihiwaywiin have been eagerly watching a playground being built behind the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre.
On Wednesday, with the snip of a pair of oversized, ceremonial scissors that cut a ribbon to mark the structure’s opening, a handful of youngsters got their wish, racing to climb the play equipment and put it to good use.
It was an emotional moment for Robin Larrett, manager of Matawa Awashishewiigiihiwaywiin.
“It’s overwhelming and amazing,” she said.
“I’m super proud of the work that this team does working with families and being able to finally cut the ribbon on this wonderful space is just amazing. Our families have watched it being built from the windows, and actually being able to set foot on it was just an overwhelming experience.”
Larrett said the play structure, which includes monkey bars and slides, is part of the overall wrap-around services the facility offers to Indigenous families in need.
“We support families that are at risk of child-welfare involvement or have had child-welfare involvement. Our families, whether it be our post-majority care, which helps fund this playground, those aging out of the child-welfare system or those families working on reunification plans. They are developing life skills, culture, through wraparound programs that are going to help the families be in a better place and keep families together,” Larrett said.
Kids need a safe place that welcomes them, she added.
“(Having a place) to blow off steam is so important. We have our six transitional family units and those families reside here. Having a safe place for them to come out and play or shoot some hoops or runaround, just having that space to reconnect was just so important,” Larrett said.
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, whose government helped fund the playground area with $511,000 in funding, said it’s great to have a place where the whole family unit can grow and play together.
“Kids need to have time to play. Play is a big part of kids’ healing journey, so this is fantastic,” Hajdu said.
