GOODFISH – The Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation officially commemorated the grand opening of its new $22 million multiplex facility on April 24.
The facility boasts a hockey rink, an impressive kitchen that can be used for various events, and an event hall, among other features.
Chief Herb Jackson said the facility has been a long-time vision among previous chiefs and councils, all with the goal to push the community forward and toward a stronger future.
“It was a long journey from a dream . . . to a reality,” he said. “People of Whitefish should be proud of this day,” added the chief, explaining the facility is a symbol of resiliency, as it took so many people working together to achieve a common goal.
That goal is to create a stronger bond and unity within the Whitefish community, said Jackson. “Part of it is intended to break down the walls between clans and to bring a united front.”
He said everyone who worked to make the facility happen also hopes that it will help “curb our social issues.”
Many people were lost to “chemical addictions, drugs, [and] alcohol,” said Jackson. With the new facility, the hope is to alleviate that by promoting healthy lifestyles, sports like hockey, cultural gatherings, and positive engagement among the community.
“That’s what this facility is about,” he said. “It’s not only for the kids, it’s up right to our elderly.”
Former Chief Stan Houle agreed. The vision for the facility is not about any one person, he said. It took a lot of people to make it real, and it was all “about Goodfish,” said Houle.
“[It is] about how our kids could grow and about how we all can heal,” he added. “Now, we have something to grow.”
Jackson also thanked all involved for their roles with ensuring the project’s success, including partners such as the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC), First Nations Bank of Canada, and Scott Builders.
Kenny Jackson, chairman of the Goodfish Lake Multiplex Foundation, said he is proud of the Nation’s accomplishment and hopes it can be a source of inspiration to other Nations as well.
“Our community has come long ways in the past half century,” said Kenny. “We were blessed with leaders who believe the two things that would propel us forward are education and economic development.”
Kenny said that among those leaders, to whom the facility was dedicated to, was the late Ernest Jackson. Kenny said the facility will help provide propel the Nation forward.
“Hope must never be underestimated, and never taken for granted,” Kenny said. “It is what our young people will hold and cling to as they navigate the turbulent tempests and uncertain waters of the days ahead.”
Booker Cornea, market lead with First Nations Bank of Canada, said facilities such as the multiplex are often taken for granted. In sports for example, he said many First Nation communities have members who must travel hours to practice, due to a lack of facilities.
Among the Bank’s goals is to change that, so he said he’s glad the facility has been completed, believing it will especially be very beneficial to the youth.
He said hockey taught him "discipline, respect, confidence, and the value of hard work,” and he hopes youth in Whitefish are able to take advantage of the facility to achieve the same thing.
“So, I just want to say thank you to your community, your Nation, for letting us be a small part of your Nation building story.”
