The St. Paul Rec. Centre was transformed into a beautiful display of sparkling decorations, with tables of silent and live auction items on display, delicious deserts available to be enjoyed, and seats filled with RCMP officers dressed in red serge, seated alongside guests who were dressed in equally impressive outfits.
The RCMP Regimental Ball took place on Oct. 21, and aside from being a night steeped in tradition and history, the event also was used as an opportunity to raise funds for the expansion of the Columbus House of Hope women’s shelter.
Following a catered meal, emcee Cpl. David Graham took to the podium to offer some history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In the early 1900s, the North-West Mounted Police had just one constable stationed in St. Paul, with an original building being constructed in 1915.
Over the years, a lot has changed, said Graham, with over 30 members and eight support staff now making up the St. Paul detachment. The local RCMP building is also home to the Eastern Alberta District office, Forensic Identification Services, Traffic Services, Victim Services, and more.
The regimental ball is held as a way for the RCMP organization and its members to have a positive venue for interacting with the public.
“It’s far too often that our interactions with the public begin with a negative event,” said Graham.
A couple of traditional toasts took place prior to a few speeches being given.
Executive director of the Columbus House of Hope Noreen Cotton took to the stage to offer some information on the organization she works for, and thank those in attendance for supporting the local women’s shelter.
Located on the wall behind the podium was a large paper tree. The tree had a number of large green leaves on it, which symbolized the number of women that the women’s shelter had helped over the past year, with the smaller green leaves symbolizing the number of children taken in.
But, along the bottom of the tree, scattered across the lower wall of the Rec. Centre were a number of orange and brown fallen leaves, which represented the number of women and children who had to be turned away from the shelter.
While the shelter has outreach programs in place, the need for an expansion to be able to assist those in need is clear, explained Cotton. The new expansion will result in plenty of additional space for current programs, but will also see transition housing being built, which is a gap in programming that currently exists in St. Paul.
“We need to do better, we know we need to do better,” said Cotton, when speaking of the need for additional space and services. After the event, Cotton offered further thanks to organizers.
“All of the proceeds from the live and silent auction are going towards furnishing the two transitional housing apartments,” explained Cotton. “We are absolutely delighted and overwhelmed with the generosity of the community.”
She noted that the night was a classy event and felt everyone should attend a regimental ball at least once in his or her lifetime.
“It was an impactful, sometimes emotional event where we all learned more about the RCMP and the strong community they are. We truly were honoured to be a part of it,” said Cotton.
As per tradition, a guest speaker is also included in the program at a regimental ball. Saturday’s speaker was Judge Ivan Ladouceur. Ladouceur was appointed to St. Paul court in the fall of 2016.
Ladouceur began his speech by speaking to the audience in Cree, and thanking the Creator for the life he’s given all of us. Ladouceur said he did not prepare a speech, but instead spoke with an open mind.
He noted that the large tree on the wall was symbolic to him. He shared a story that spoke of a dying tree, which symbolized the death of the aboriginal people. But, in the story, there was a bloom, and this meant that one day, aboriginal people would blossom again.
“We have to look at history and educate ourselves,” said Ladoucear, when speaking about the 100 years of oppression that aboriginal people in Canada have experienced. He noted that while “it’s a difficult journey,” aboriginal people will prosper again.
Ladouceur also spoke about balance and harmony within the First Nations people, noting that drugs and alcohol have offset that harmony. He noted that harmony must be restored, but it won’t be done through the current system, and change is needed.
He spoke briefly about family violence, and the need to help those who experience domestic violence.
“It we can help one family, we’re going a lot of healing. It can have a ripple effect.”
He noted that donations collected on Saturday evening were a small step toward helping people in need.
Ladouceur also addressed the first responders in the crowd, growing emotional as he recalled his own personal experience working with a Search and Rescue organization.
“We don’t have to pretend we’re tough,” said Ladouceur, speaking on the effects that traumatic experiences can have on people. He noted that first responders will remember these traumatic events, and he encouraged them to seek help when needed.
The rest of the evening included the live auction and silent auction fundraisers, along with a dance and late lunch. A total amount raised was unavailable as of the Journal’s press deadline.
