Local man gets opportunity of a lifetime

Posted By Angela Brown, Central Plains Herald-Leader

Posted 16 days ago

Angela Brown/Central Plains Herald-Leader...Jamie Mousseau, who currently resides in Portage la Prairie, but originates from Long Plain and Sandy Bay First Nations, is pictured on Nov. 4 beside the famous eagle monument at Long Plain s urban reserve, near the west end of Portage. He has been named the aboriginal youth flame attendant for the Portage-area leg of the 2010 Olympic torch run.

A Central Plains aboriginal youth will be running with the torch bearers as part of a relay for a leg of the tour in the Portage la Prairie area for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Jamie Mousseau, 25, who currently lives in Portage and originates from Long Plain First Nation and Sandy Bay First Nation, is excited to be chosen to participate as the Aboriginal Youth Flame Attendant in the relay.

"It feels amazing," he said on Oct. 31. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance opportunity."

There were only 11 youth chosen to participate as youth flame attendants from across Canada.

An attendant provides support to the torch carrier in the relay and protects the flame during the run.

"This is the first time they had it, so it is really special," Mousseau said. "It's more for support. If someone can't really carry the torch and is having a rough time, we can help them out, in any which way we need to."

He said there may also be some individuals carrying the torches who require wheelchairs, are visually impaired, or have other disabilities and the youth would be able to assist them.

He will participate on Jan. 6 and 7 in the Portage area.

Mousseau noted he was chosen for the role due to his commitment to helping other youth achieve their goals and his work as a youth role model.

At Long Plain, Mousseau works as an educational assistant at Long Plain School. He also participates in volunteer activities in the community, such as supervising gym nights at Long Plain School for youth during the week. He is hoping to later become a recreation director.

He says it is important for kids to stay active and keep a positive attitude about the future.

"It's good to be very healthy, stay fit and live long," Mousseau said. "I know a lot of kids these days are playing a lot of video games. They don't like doing much. This gets them to come out, have fun and meet kids."

The young man also likes to mentor youth and takes them to powwows to learn about their culture and hockey games as a fun outing.

His mother Laura Mousseau, who lives in Sandy Bay, said she is thrilled her son was chosen for the position during the Olympic torch relay.

"I'm very proud," she said. "I'm very happy for him. He deserves it. He is a good boy."

She mentioned Mousseau is also an athlete and has devoted much of his youth to participating in hockey.

This year, he is playing with the team Fisher River Terriers out of Teulon, north of Winnipeg. Her son previously played with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for five years -- with the Southeast Blades in Fort Alexander area reserve and later in Dauphin with the Dauphin Kings. Jamie also played three months at the semi-pro level with the Jacksonville Barracudas in Florida, U.S., about two years ago.

Today he also coaches youth hockey and acts as a mentor.

"He is very into volunteering a lot," said Laura, adding Jamie volunteered to deliver H1N1 flu vaccine kits at Long Plain on Oct. 31.

Jamie is married and has two children and enjoys working with youth.

His mother said he always had a compassionate attitude towards others while growing up, so she believes he is deserving to be chosen as one of the youth attendants for the Olympic flame.

"He is very friendly and outgoing, and he is very caring," she said.

Stephen Prince, economic development officer at Long Plain, nominated Jamie Mousseau for the position of torch bearer attendant and said he is a model youth.

"He is a community leader," Prince said on Nov. 2. "He does a number of programs on Long Plain First Nation dealing with the youth. He is a perfect example of a youth leader in the community."

abrown@cpheraldleader.com