Inspiring legacy of caring lives on

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This article was published 02/10/2022 (813 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wayne Catcheway Jr. believed in healthy eating, so there was stew and bannock for the guests.

Catcheway believed in building relationships, so stories were shared about his efforts to reach out and connect with families that may have been struggling.

Most importantly, Catcheway believed in Indigenous youth, so it was only fitting a new space, bearing his name, was created in his honour.

On Sept. 23, Wayne’s World Youth Lounge at Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre officially launched with a grand opening at 510 King St.

Catcheway, who died from brain cancer in 2019, worked at Turtle Island and a number of other community organizations. He was an ardent supporter of youth, mental health, recreation (notably basketball) and culture, and poured his heart and soul into his work.

“Friday’s event was a beautiful celebration of community, connection and food,” said longtime friend Michael Redhead Champagne.

“Approximately 60-70 of Wayne’s closest friends and family members came out to sit in the beautifully designed Wayne’s World Youth Lounge. We shared stories and memories about Wayne and his remarkable contributions to the community and the families there. The stories were constant about Wayne going above and beyond to help a child in need, a family with support, and ensuring that everyone around him had a full belly.”

The Winnipeg youth space created to honour Catcheway celebrates his positive impact on the community over many years, and features comfortable couches, a beautiful carpet with Indigenous art and teachings on it, and a variety of photos and portraits of Wayne on the walls. There’s also a wall-sized mural by artist Justin Zedone Poirier who was a source of inspiration to Catcheway.

“So many people loved and still love Wayne. Since his passing, a number of basketball gatherings have been held in his honour. I’ve tattooed his signature on my arm and one of Wayne’s brothers is driving around with ‘Waynerz’ on his licence plate,” Redhead Champagne said.

“Those are only the things I know about. I could mention all the young people in the neighbourhood who continue to work at their education goals because Wayne encouraged them to do so. I could also mention the many community members who are forever changed and impacted for the better in their community and career goals because Wayne’s kindness and presence is felt.

“How many people and families are better and stronger because of his mantra of ‘Take care of the kids?’ Hundreds? At least,” Redhead Champagne said.

“Wayne still helps us every day, just like he did when he was here with us,” Redhead Champagne added. “This space is a physical representation of that. How many more good things will come into this world as a result of Wayne? Only time will tell, but I’m excited that Wayne’s World Youth space is definitely one of them.”

The youth lounge offers games, a karaoke machine and snacks; a place where young people in the area have the opportunity to retreat from the stresses of everyday life and remember Wayne as someone who inspired so many.

“Wayne was everything a mother would want,” Agnes Catcheway said about her son.

“He was a very respectful gentleman, very considerate. He was all things. He loved his nieces and nephews, his family. He graduated from Children of the Earth High School where I worked as an attendance clerk,” she said of the youngest of her three children.

“I made sure they came to school. He was the youngest to graduate; he was 17. He had dreams about his career. He met his real dream working at Turtle Island, working with children. He was a square dancer for his aunt’s group. He eventually came to basketball. He could have been a professional basketball player. Wayne was a good cook, a good bannock maker… He always talked about gardening and to eat well, for the children to eat good. He was a good teacher to kids, a good mentor. He was everything.”

Catcheway’s gift of caring for others will be remembered and appreciated by all who stop in to spend time at the youth lounge named after him.

“The thing is, I never expected this to come,” said Agnes, who prepared the food for the event. “They figured the workers there at Turtle Island would continue his legacy for him. It’s a memorable thing for all people to come in.

“It’s good to have the community come together and to work together, a place like this where children are in need to be looked after. This was his goal. His dream. That’s what Wayne was all about.”

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca