Four of the nine Youth Ambassadors presented the results of their projects on Friday during a gala hosted by the P.A. Multi-cultural council. Left to right are: , Fabiola Niyinkiza, Raghav Kapur, Thomas Tradi and Leevance Mawan. (Photo Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Youth Ambassadors

Variety of skills displayed by P.A. Youth Ambassador program

Mar 12, 2024 | 5:00 PM

From music videos to organizing trips or creating apps to connect other newcomers to the area, youth in Prince Albert have choices when it comes to showcasing their talents and interests.

On the weekend, the Multicultural Council showed off some of those choices in the gala that wrapped up the first Youth Ambassador program.

Michelle Hasler, who ran the program, said it was made possible by a grant from the federal government that allowed each of the nine ambassadors a budget to complete their projects.

“Tonight is very important because we are celebrating the achievement and the contributions of our youth ambassadors through our program, the Multicultural Youth Ambassador program. So it is very exciting for the youth. They accomplished really good youth led initiatives and projects for the community,” Hasler explained.

Raghav Kapur’s project was to host a Diwali celebration in Prince Albert. The event had several hundred guests, music, a dance and food and a speech by Dr. Malholtra.

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Raghav Kapur explains how his Diwali celebrations went. (Susan McNei/paNOW Staff)

Another ambassador, Fabiola Niyinkiza, combined the original music and traditions of Burundi, her home country, to create a music video and has now completed about five songs.

Her music has also boosted the Multicultural council’s YouTube viewership to 800 views from about 50.

As an accountant, Leevance Rakesh Macwan wanted to make sure he got a good return on investment for his project and he likes to travel, so he organized a bus load of 30 people on a day trip to Wanuskewin.

Leevan Macwan took a group of 30 to Wanuskewin, which he said was good return on the several hundred dollars spent. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

The guests hailed from India, Nigeria, Congo, Canada, Pakistan and more. There was “really good food” two guides and it only cost several hundred dollars, Macwan said.

Thomas Tradi preferred a one-person initiative and delved into the history and culture of the Métis people in Saskatchewan.

Delving into Métis traditions and history was the point of Thomas Tradi’s project. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

Of the nine ambassadors, only four were on hand for the gala and meal but Hasler made sure to give a run down of their projects, such as the popularity of African hair-braiding and how it can save people a lot of money to have it done by one of the group.

Another ambassador had 25 models wearing traditional clothing walk the runway at Tapestrama, a major event organized by the Multi-Cultural council.

Hasler said she is hopeful to do more projects next year and has applied for new funding to make that happen. If successful, it will go for three years.

“Hopefully its not the end of it, because our Youth Council will continue, but it’s the finish or ending of their projects in the individual respective projects,” she said.

While not at the gala, this documentary by Ambassador Izzabelle Bignell, PAMC’s Youth Ambassador is available on YouTube and features people from Prince Albert.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com