Nonprofit working to build community center on Rocky Boy

A volunteer nonprofit organization has started on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation and is working toward building a community center for youth on the reservation.

"That's what we need to give our kids because, nowadays, it's too hard with losing our children, our adults, everybody to drugs and alcohol," Rocky Boy's Eagle Core Community Organization Secretary Rebekah Jarvey said. "It's too hard right now to keep our family together, so having this community center, we need to bring our community together. ... We need to get that unity back. We need to be unified as a community. So with this community center, it's going to unify our reservation with hopes of good things."

Eagle Core Vice President Ken Morsette said the organization started in January with members concerned for their community and desiring to get something positive for the youth. He added that the tribal council officially recognized the organization in March.

Eagle Core's goal is to build a community center, expand the skate park and make a place for children, families and youth to spend their time drug and alcohol free, he said.

"Doing all-around community events to start giving our youth and elders a better place to go and just to have better things, more positive things for our reservation," he said.

Jarvey said that since the former Stone Child College building was condemned, the tribal community doesn't have any facilities to accommodate children or a place to hold community events other than the schools. She added that people have the option to rent the churches or the college but the tribe doesn't have any structure open for the community.

The former Stone Child College building, located at the Rocky Boy Agency near near the tribal offices, had been used for community events in the past, including powwows, feasts, ceremonies, basketball and everything else to do with children, she said. She added that she remembers growing up with that area available for the community to use and it broke her heart when the building was eventually condemned.

Statistically, communities which have community centers have a lower rate of drugs and alcohol issues, Jarvey said. If the community had a positive building, a positive place and had people who are drug and alcohol free positively influencing the community, it could have a positive impact on the community and the youth.

Eagle Core Marketing Director Antonio Morsette, who goes by his Cree name Kiewsis, said that was why the organization came together and wanted to get the ball rolling on the project.

Ken Morsette said the organization is looking into applying for grants specifically for supporting activities for youth. He added that Eagle Core is also in charge of the skatepark and the members have worked hard to keep the park in great condition.

It's nice to see the children use it every day, he said. He added that the next step is to get sod laid down and solar lighting installed at the skatepark. 

The organization just recently celebrated the one year anniversary of the skatepark being built by Eagle Core giving out more than 30 skateboards and scooters to the local children, he said.

"The kids lit up," he added.

Eagle Core is also looking to eventually expand the park, as well as put in horseshoe pits and a barbecue area, he said. He added that the tribe has donated land to the organization, so they can do everything they are planning, including constructing the community center. The property goes from the skatepark to the Box Elder Schools. The land could also potentially be used for funerals, cultural events and activities.

"We're trying to bring the family unit back together on our reservation by creating these things," he said.

Morsette added that Eagle Core had already met with a Canadian Cree architecture firm last week, working on the rough designs for the community center. The organization will meet again with the firm in September, but the construction of the center may still be more than a year out. He said the organization has also been working with tribal council member Michael Corcoran who is also a member of Eagle Core. 

"The way we're going to start this out and make this a reality is we're going to have to go in phases," he said, adding that the group has such a large wish list including things such as a gym, kitchen, a cultural room and classrooms.

Members of Eagle Core are all volunteers, and once the community center is built they will also be the ones who are volunteering at the facility, he said. 

He added that the community center has been a more-than 20-year-old dream of his, ever since he got out of the military. He said he was a graphic artist for the military and wanted to come back and help his community. Originally, he wanted it to be a 24-hour facility, so children could have a safe place to go, because other than drugs and alcohol impacting tribal communities another thing impacting Indian Country is suicide.

He said having a place for children to spend time with their families or a mentor can help unit them as a people and help build toward a better future.

"It's what's in our hearts, what we feel we need to do, then I can sit back and die happy," Morsette said.

Eagle Core is also looking for donations and outside help in their mission. People can either contact the group on its Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CCTECCO/ or contact Kiewsis Morsette or Rebekah Jarvey through Facebook.