Mandy Herman's program is guided by traditional values such as family, learning from nature, spiritual awareness, service to others, and respect. (Submitted photo/ Mandy Herman)

By Nicole Reis

PRAIRIE ACTION FUND

Clearwater River Dene Nation woman granted award for youth mentorship program

Jun 10, 2020 | 12:05 PM

A Clearwater River Dene Nation woman has been awarded a cash incentive for her dedication toward mentoring youth through the Prairieaction Foundation Youth Leadership Award. The Prairieaction Foundation works to change the story of violence and abuse in the Canadian prairies through research which is responsive to diverse community needs.

Mandy Herman, 35, has been recognized for the third consecutive year for her Clearwater Project Venture Youth Mentor program which focuses on high-risk youth and crime prevention through physical activity.

Herman told meadowlakeNOW her project is an outdoor/experiential program for students in Grade 6 to 8, with assistance from high school students who graduate into mentors. The program is guided by traditional values such as family, learning from nature, spiritual awareness, service to others, and respect.

“We go on canoe trips, summer camps, hiking trips and winter camps,” she said. “Throughout the year, we also do in-class sessions where each class gets one hour of project adventure time where they play games and activities while building on problem solving and team building skills. Within each activity [there is] a crucial life lesson.”

Herman added the award will assist her group in developing a youth mentor camp held each August which will undergo some adjustments this year to accommodate pandemic reopening restrictions. She is actively involved with youth in her community as a former wrestling coach and through ongoing physical activity. She said she plans to use the funding to cover the costs of her mentor camp so she can train interested youth on how to become mentors themselves.

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“We’re so grateful to Prairieaction Foundation for awarding us with this [funding] for three years in a row,” she said.

Rod McKendrick, Vice Chair of the Prairieaction Foundation said youth are the future and the upcoming generation have demonstrated interest in making a difference in communities from all over the province.

“Because of the demographics in the province, Alberta and Manitoba, we wanted to make sure we were looking to the prairies as to how we considered youth and the projects that have come back are incredible,” he said. “It’s making a real difference.”

Part of the requirement of receiving the award is to be nominated by an adult in their community who do extraordinary work with youth between the age of 12 to 20 years of age. Herman was nominated by a friend who was involved in a similar project in La Loche.

The award recognizes young people who demonstrate leadership in making their schools, neighborhoods, and communities safer by raising awareness about abuse and violence, promoting healthy and safe relationships, and/or developing innovative approaches to violence prevention. Recipients receive up to $3000 to continue, expand, or duplicate their award-winning project, or to initiate a new activity.

Additional information about how to apply or nominate a community member can be found here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722