Role model receives Junior Citizen of the Year Award
- Jeanelle Mandes | June 30, 2014
In Regina, the Lieutenant Governor, Vaughn Solomon Schofield, presented an award this week to four young individuals who live positive lifestyles and who have demonstrated strong leadership roles in their communities.
Summer Michel-Stevenson, from Pelican Narrows, says she was excited and honored to receive such a prestigious award.
"I was really happy and surprised because there's a lot of other youth that get nominated for this award. It's an honor that I got chosen," she says.
At the age of 17, Stevenson has recently received the SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Award of Excellence, The Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence, the Bobby Bird award, and so much more. She is the Junior Chief of the youth council back in her home community where she promotes the youth to live a positive lifestyle. Unlike many youth, Stevenson has the skill to speak her Cree language and takes part in cultural activities such as moose hunting and growing natural medicines.
"Back home, there's not a lot for the youth to do. That's why we started up the youth council. We plan trips and events so they have something to do."
Stevenson's mom, Bella, is very proud of her daughter's achievement.
"For me and my husband, we're from the northern community and not many people get chosen. We're very happy and proud of her."
Chris Ashfield, Chairman of the Junior Citizen Award, says this year the committee received about 50 nominations for this award.
"These awards recognize outstanding individuals who have positive lifestyles. Programs like this show that Saskatchewan has some great youth. I think we have the best people living here in this province," says Ashfield.
Each recipient was presented with a medal and a huge cheque for $3,000. Stevenson says she plans on investing her money in her future plans.
"I'd probably save it for university, because I applied for Arts and Science in Prince Albert at the First Nations University of Canada and I plan to go on into pediatrician or something, she says.
"It's really nice to be drug and alcohol free and to be a positive person because you get these opportunities and awards. Kids will look up to me and want to achieve these goals I've achieved," Stevenson adds.
The other three recipients who received this award are Kaitlyn Budzak, Morgan Fast and Melissa Whelpton. The award was sponsored by the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association (SWNA), SaskPower and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.