The community of Houpsitas, home to the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’, is hoping to build a skateboard park for the youth to enjoy another outdoor activity.
After the catastrophic whale watching incident in Tofino when the Leviathan II capsized, passenger Dwayne Mazereeuw promised to build a skateboard park for Ahousaht in gratitude for the rescue of he and his wife, and that commitment inspired a citizen of Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nation.
Tracey Gosselin took on a huge task to pursue building a skateboard park for her tiny community, the farthest northern Nuu-chah-nulth Nation at remote Walter’s Cove, Kyuquot Sound on Vancouver Island.
“At a community meeting, resident Janice Smith spoke on behalf of the Kyuquot youth,” said Gosselin, requesting a youth centre.” The skateboard park issue was also brought up at the community’s People’s Assembly.
As Gosselin thought about the youth centre and the skateboard park, she decided to commit to fundraise for the park. Tracey saw this as an opportunity to do something positive for the children there.
The community is now buzzing with excitement at the idea.
A young man named James suggested that the park have walls and a roof, because of the long wet season on the coast. He suggested looking to Courtenay’s park to get an idea of the cost and the size.
James said he was 17 years old in 2007 when he started skateboarding. He enjoys it and now is teaching the younger ones some maneuvers.
Ha-Shilth-Sa caught up with James and two other skateboarders who were on their way to the community hall on Walter’s Island to practise their skateboarding skills. James said it would be better if they didn’t have to go “across the bay” all the time to go skateboarding.
Malcolm and Cody, the two young teenagers who were accompanying James, agreed with him, and said skateboarding is “something to do.” They like this activity and learning new moves. They said they would like one in their community so they wouldn’t have to take a boat across the bay to the hall.
“They both are pretty good skaters,” James said of his young friends.
Another young boy named Adam was anxiously awaiting construction. “When is it going to be made,” he asked. He has a new dirt bike which he uses for fun, but he sure would like to see a skatepark.
“It’s a good idea,” said Houpsitas resident Lana. Today the children have no place to skate in the community and riding on the gravel roads causes damage and it costs a lot to replace skateboard parts.
Wayne Jr suggested it “should be a dirt bike track instead of a skateboard park.” His buddy Eric, however, said the park was “a pretty good idea.” It’s something different to do besides going to the Hall across the bay.
Calvin also is excited about a skateboard park in the community and is looking forward to “use it” because he has a skateboard now. He too goes to Walters Island to skate.
Tammy said her spouse Trevor would love it! Right now he goes across the bay to Walter’s Island, or takes advantage of his trips to town, to skateboard. Having a park in the community would be convenient, Tammy said.
“Town” is a 40-minute boat ride to Fair Harbour, and then a few hours’ drive along a logging road to the highway, and then about two hours into Campbell River. People head into the town periodically for shopping and medical appointments or cultural events.
But not everyone in the community is really convinced the park is needed.
One parent said the “kids aren’t really interested anymore.” When she asked her seven-year-old son Blake, he said he just skates to “do an Ollie.” Another five-year-old, Brien, said he tries to do the Bunny Hop, “but I crash.”
Natalie Jack, a member of the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ legislature, is a mom, grandmother and community member. She has mixed feelings about the park.
Her first concern is safety and the dangers of injury in such an isolated community. The distance to the nearest hospital is only one consideration. The weather conditions can be unkind, she said.
“Who will ensure it will only be used for skateboarding, and not other uses such as motor bikes, quads,” she wondered.
The Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ government has officially supported the Houpsitas Skateboard Initiative, however, and recently sent out a letter saying as much. It will also provide some of the funding to build and there’s a potential site picked out for this park.
Tracey Gosselin is the primary contact for this project and heads the fund-raising efforts for the community. She has put a jar for donations in her little store in the community of about 150 people, and so far has raised $2,818. Not bad for a community with many fundraising efforts, like school field trips, elders’ gatherings and local events, competing for limited funds.
Gosselin is now trying to reach beyond Houpsitas’ borders through some websites, including a www.gofundme.com page (search Kyuquot First Nations skate park) and one on www.youcaring.com . Go to the link Help My Community.
Additional fundraiser efforts include “selling things”, 50/50s and raffles of donations received from such places as Thrifty Foods and Interfor in Campbell River.
And there is always the donation jar, so stop in and see Tracey if you’re ever passing through.
All donations collected are set aside by the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ accounting department.
And the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ administrator says “we thank you for your interest in supporting this important initiative.”
The youth say they are willing to help with this fundraising effort too.
