Mattagami Odamino Centre opens for youth

The grand opening of the Mattagami Odamino Centre dedicated to youth was held in Mattagami First Nation on Dec. 4.

The event featured guest speakers Ted and Brandon Nolan of National Hockey League (NHL) fame, Mattagami First Nation Chief Chad Boissoneau, Shirley Gillis-Kendall, executive director Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services, and Timmins Mayor George Pirie.

“This was a very exciting day for everyone in Mattagami First Nation as we had been planning for an arena and space dedicated to our youth for some time,” said Chief Boissoneau. “I want to thank Dayna Cosgrove for all of her efforts and creativity in making this dream come true through Kunuwanimano and Jordan’s Principle funding. We are also grateful to our youth and Secord Construction of Timmins for providing us with this much needed facility.”

Cosgrove, who was instrumental in spearheading the Mattagami Odamino Centre project, worked with chief and council and the local youth and Secord Construction to develop the facility.

“I was involved in servicing our youth and when this opportunity for funding came up I knew we had to apply for it because I had input from our youth that this type of safe and dedicated space was needed for them,” Cosgrove explained. “The youth provided a lot of input in the design of this facility and we worked with Secord Construction to bring it to life.”

Now presently employed with Kunuwanimano in Chapleau, Cosgrove has been instrumental in her home First Nation of Mattagami First Nation in working with and assisting youth through all types of programming. She is active in promoting culture as a traditional dancer and she is involved in cultural revitalization in her community. She has assisted her community in coordinating and developing their annual powwow.

“This grand opening was really a milestone for Mattagami First Nation, and I am so proud of everyone involved that we managed to develop a first class ice hockey arena and complex for our youth. We also managed to connect with First Nation Hockey Drive and they delivered 45 bags of hockey equipment for our youth,” said Cosgrove.

Master of Ceremonies for the Grand Opening and First Nation Councillor Jennifer Constant pointed out that the Mattagami Odamino Centre replaces a previously covered, but open air rink.

“Thanks to Dayna and our youth we managed to develop a four season, enclosed arena rink with a change room with dedicated space for our youth to gather and an office for administration. The entire community benefits from the addition of this facility as it will improve the quality of life for our youth and families in Mattagami First Nation,” said Constant.

Ted Nolan and his son Brandon, who represent their Ted Nolan Foundation and head 3 Nolans, a First Nation hockey school, spoke to the youth about focusing on their education and making their dreams come true. The visit by this father and son inspirational speaking duo was also a chance for a reunion of sorts with Chief Boissoneau.

“I grew up in Garden River, where the Nolans are from, and I have great memories of being part of the community and family life with the Nolans before I got married and moved to Mattagami First Nation. I was thrilled to be able to share the stage with these inspirational stars for such an exciting and important day for everyone in our community,” Boissoneau said.

The Thunder Creek Singers and Drum Group from Timmins provided opening and closing ceremony for the event and a group of youth hand drummers from the local Mary Jane Naveau Memorial School also participated.

Odamino is an Ojibway word that translates to ‘children’s play space’.

“I wanted to provide a meaningful name for our new youth facility and that led me to discussing possibilities with local Elder Lawrence Naveau. He enlightened me in providing the name Odamino which is a word from our own local Ojibway dialect. He pointed out that the word means children’s play space or area which is just perfect,” Cosgrove said.