Louis Bull Tribe receives Toronto Blue Jays donation to fix up baseball diamond

Youth and community members from Louis Bull Tribe and Toronto Blue Jays Care Foundation delegates pose with the big cheque. Photo submitted by Trevor Larocque.

There was a celebration in the Louis Bull Tribe Aug. 1 with youth from all around the reserve gathered to celebrate the sport of baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays Care Foundation handed over a cheque for $240,834.

The money will help Louis Bull Tribe refurbish their baseball diamonds and start up baseball programs in their community. It was announced back in May that Louis Bull would be receiving these funds, along with more communities around Canada.

Trevor Larocque, infrastructure director for the Louis Bull Tribe, spoke with CFWE about the Blue Jays visit. The Toronto Blue Jays Care Foundation Executive Director Robert Witchel helped present the cheque to Larocque and Chief Desmond Bull, as well as Jesse Barfield, who He played with the Blue Jays from 1981 to 1989 and was recently inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Barfield also took part in a ceremonial drum circle.

Blue Jays alumni Jesse Barfield partaking in a ceremonial drum circle. Photo submitted by Trevor Larocque.

Since Aug. 1, work has begun immediately on putting the funds to use. According to Larocque, he’s getting contractors in line to help fix up their ball diamonds to try and have it completed before snowfall later this year.

For the community as a whole, Larocque thinks that this funding will help raise spirit in Louis Bull.

“I think it’s going to be another key element to help our youth. We have programs for mental health, we have programs for spirituality, which is our culture. And now we have more physical activities for them, and we can bring those three together now to try and make a healthier community”, Larocque said.