Cheers, Canadian flags, photos of Brigette Lacquette and nearly everyone wearing red T-shirts saying “Canada Go 4 Gold” made up the setting of a rally at Cote First Nation on February 15.
Held in the gymnasium of Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex, the rally was staged in honour of Lacquette, a member of the Cote First Nation who is also a member of Team Canada battling for the gold medal in the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
“We are here to honour a member of Cote First Nation who is making history around the world,” Chief George Cote told students, band members and guests attending the rally. “She is a wonderful role model who is making her dream come true.”
Cote mentioned former Chief Tony Cote in whose name the Saskatchewan winter and summer Indigenous games are now being held and reminded everyone that in establishing the Indigenous games it had been Tony Cote’s dream that a First Nation athlete would one day rise to the level of the Olympic Games.
“Now, lo and behold, we have an Olympic athlete,” George Cote said. “This proves dreams can come true and nothing is impossible.”
The chief encouraged the students to respect their elders and continue their education and led the audience in a “Go Canada go” chant.
He said that Lacquette is “a young lady who will be in our hearts forever and all of us can say that she’s ‘my cousin.’
“I’m proud of all you people,” he said.
As emcee for the afternoon rally, Jonas Cote, principal of the school, said that everyone was gathering in order to honour a band member who has accomplished something First Nations members strive for: professional sport.
Jonas Cote recognized Helene Cote for putting forth the idea of a rally in Lacquette’s honour and introduced the speakers, including Elder Reg Severight who began the rally with a prayer.
As the Whitehawk Singers performed a song, the entire student body entered the gym following a banner proclaiming Cote First Nation as “the home of Brigette Lacquette.”
Terrance Lacquette, the brother of the Olympic athlete thanked the chief and council for their welcome and said Brigette and other members of his family have always appreciated the support Cote First Nation has provided them.
He said that he expects that others will follow his sister’s example.
A brief slide show was presented regarding Lacquette and some of her hockey statistics.
Several students led cheering sessions, including one group of girls who did cartwheels and another group of youngsters who chanted Lacquette’s name and “Brigette, Brigette, Number 4; Brigette, Brigette, We are proud of you.”
The rally ended with the drawing of several names to receive various Canadian and Olympic Games outdoor wear and the cutting and serving of two large cakes decorated with Lacquette’s name, Olympic and Team Canada logos and the quote: “No dream is too big.”
