A new 14-foot climbing wall has been installed in the Cree community of Waskaganish in northern Quebec as part of a pilot project to give young people a great place to hang out, especially during the winter months.
Eeyou Bouldering is located in a former supermarket, in a small strip mall in downtown Waskaganish.
This is the dream of two teachers – Jeanne de Metz and Vincent Rodrigue – who, for two years, have taught third and fifth grade classes at École Annie Whiskeychan Memorial Elementary School.
” Our students knock on our door at night, just because they are looking for something to do, to get to. “
Mr. is also interested. Rodrigue and Ms. de Metz in rock climbing, and they said it was their dream to share this passion with the young Cree they loved. Activities are free, and climbing shoes of all sizes are available.
We are very touched by this project, because we are passionate about climbing. The climb changed my lifesaid Mr. Rodrigue. So hopefully it can change some lives here in the community.
Air hockey, foosball and smoothies
The climbing center opened on April 21 and has sofas, air hockey and foosball tables, board games, magazines and a kitchen area with a refrigerator, microwave, and blender for making smoothies.
The most important difference between trad climbing and bouldering is that bouldering only requires climbing shoes, as well as a 14-inch crash mat-to cushion the falls. In traditional climbing, the climber is attached to a rope and wears protective equipment.
” We had the impression that the bouldering gym was exactly culturally appropriate here, and the need for an accessible sport, accessible to everyone and anytime. “
The couple wants it to be a safe and friendly place where young people can socialize and learn problem-solving techniques, which is an important part of the climbing culture.
Solving problems
Each of the colored climbing holds on the wall is part of an oa line problem to resolve, said Mr. Rodrigue. Sockets are replaced every week, which means the problems solved are different.
Both teachers said it was amazing to see young people pushing their limits and solving their problems to get to the top of the wall.
You see a child climb half a wall, get scared, descend, stare at the wall for five minutes, turn around and climb a few meters in height.commented Mr. Rodrigue, who added that at the end of the hour: they reached the top .
” It’s great, our job is to teach them how to climb, and every day we see them improve. “
Eeyou Bouldering is open from 4 pm to 7 pm for youth ages eight, then from 7 pm to 10 pm for youth ages 12 and up. On Sunday afternoons, the center will be accessible to the entire community.
A Montreal company, Murs Nomad Walls, designed the climbing wall, which typically costs about $ 50,000. But the company allows Ms. de Metz and Mr. Rodrigue to pay in installments.
The reaction is pure pleasure
Eeyou Bouldering opened when the Cree families headed to their spring goose hunting camp, but the two teachers believe more and more children and their parents are showing interest.
Once people return [du territoire], it exploded. The parents came because they were so surprised and excited about our initiativeargument of Mr. Rodrigue.
” And the reaction of the young people was pure joy. “
The goal is to train young people from the region to work in the center.
The pilot project receives funding through June, through local sponsors, and regional funding from the Cree Youth Development Fund, as well as funding from the federal government through the Jordan principle, with support from in Indigenous Services Canada.
Ms. de Metz and Mr. Rodrigue is focused on getting funding in place for next fall. Their vision is to one day bring Eeyou Bouldering to other Cree communities.
Based on a text by Susan Bell of CBC
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
