by Tom Sasvari
M’CHIGEENG—Volunteering for activities such as those that benefit young people is very important to Gayle Payette of M’Chigeeng First Nation.
“It’s important to give back to the communities and ensure there is sustainability for youth and other members of the community to do,” said Ms. Payette. “I want to be a good role model and help out people and groups when I can, and to basically let people know there are kind people around to help and assist.”
Ms. Payette made history last year by being the first Indigenous person elected to the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) board of directors. She will serve a two-year term on the board. She had served on the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), including as second vice-president of the NOHA, prior to being elected to the OHF board.
The positions with the OHF and the NOHA are unpaid. “I like to be involved in hockey to assist with player involvement and development, so we continue to see kids on the ice and be active with something to do,” she said.
She has volunteered in the past for the Frosty Cup hockey tournament in Gore Bay, to help raise funds for families who need some assistance.
“And over and above my position and role and position as principal (of Lakeview Elementary School in M’Chigeeng), I’m volunteering when I do extra things above and beyond my duties as principal,” said Ms. Payette.
She has at times helped to umpire at Manitoulin Special Olympics baseball games, and has assisted Greg Lockeyer in putting on youth baseball tournaments in Mindemoya, said Ms. Payette.
“I’m naturally involved in volunteering to help youth and like to be involved in the community,” said Ms. Payette. She is the chair of Enaagdawaab jig oversite committee for UCCM Anishinaabe Police Service as well. “If there are concerns, appeals, and interactions with police, we as a board deal with that.”
Ms. Payette also volunteered for years with the Manitoulin Panthers hockey organization and when there was a youth ball league on the Island, she was a manager of the ‘Prospects’ team. “I also used to do volunteer work with the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) to help make sure players were registered properly for the annual tournament,” she added.
“Just being involved and active in the community can make you feel good,” said Ms. Payette. “I know my mom was a hard worker and resilient. She volunteered for her family and those people in the community that needed a helping hand. She would always help others in need, not necessarily in a group or organization, but would help out if she knew someone who needed some support or assistance.”
“My husband Mike has been involved in minor hockey for many years as a referee,” said Ms. Payette. “A lot of the time he would ref at tournaments for free if he knew the money raised from the tournament was going to a good cause, (such as) going to minor hockey, and he was involved in umpiring baseball as well, so it kept me inspired to help out as well.”
Volunteering is definitely a family affair. Mitchel, the couple’s son, has also volunteered over the years as a referee and assisted coaching in minor hockey, she said. “He got involved as well.”
