Pikwàkanagàn Youth Bowling

Young members of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn bowled into Petawawa during the March Break to spend the afternoon at Petawawa Valley Bowl.

A big yellow school bus pulled up in front of the Petawawa Valley Bowl on the last day of the March Break and 19 kids spilled into the bowling alley. Five supervisors spent the afternoon tallying up points for the group. The youth comprised of students from grade two through to grade eight.

The group had a great time bowling, snacking at the canteen and laughing as gutter balls outnumbered strikes and spares. The group clapped, encouraged each other and giggled and howled at the bowling antics. Joey Ozawanimke had a special bowling style and kept the lane cleaned and his clothes dirty by sliding on the floor each time the bowling ball left his hands. Karly Meness improved her bowling score with each game and Jaden Kohoko and Kyrie Smith made an awesome tag team bowling together. Madison Whiteduck picked up speed after her first strike and Jenny Cooke bowled a high score. Supervisor and bowler Christine Lightbody taught the rookies how to bowl and the supervisors how to keep score.

After three long games of bowling the bus loaded up and headed to McDonald’s for dinner. Along with Christine Lightbody, the supervisors for the group included Teresa G. Kohoko, Gloria Bernard, Elsie Commanda, and Eva Kuzyk, the teacher for the After School Program.

The bowling activity was organized through the After School Program in Pikwàkanagàn. Designed to tutor students from Tuesday through Thursday from 5-8 pm, the program also focuses on culture, music, art and safety. Extracurricular activities have included ceramics classes and movie and pizza nights.

Last year the After School Program was a pilot project. “It did so well,” said Teresa G. Kohoko, “that Council and the community requested it continue. We made such a good impression with the kids.” The After School Program is run by the Education Department with funding provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.