The Pinehouse Youth Panel during a public meeting. (submitted photo/Kenley Ratt)

By Derek Cornet

volunteerism

Pinehouse Youth Panel making positive changes in northern community

Nov 26, 2019 | 4:21 PM

A group of young people in Pinehouse Lake are taking decision-making into their own hands when it comes to recreational and cultural programming in their community.

The Pinehouse Youth Panel was launched in September and so far includes six volunteers currently in high school including Kyra Lariviere, Nolan Lariviere, Ariana Natomagan, Bailey Tinker and Morgan Tinker. The panel is supervised by Restorative Program Co-ordinator Kenley Ratt, who stated the youth have been self-sustaining in their efforts.

“They have pretty much taken it by themselves and they are handling it,” he said. “I believe this team of youth is really strong and they are really passionate about what they are doing. They know what they want and they are going after it 110 per cent. It’s almost as if now they just need help every now and then.”

In the last couple of months, the panel has secured a building in the community for their use and have also taken over the Pinehouse Lake Arena canteen. While the building serves as a place to do programming, the canteen acts as a source of revenue for events or projects the youth plan. For instance, the La Ronge Ice Wolves will be in Pinehouse on Dec. 5 for a neutral site game against the Yorkton Terriers and the panel will keep all profits made at the canteen.

Some of the programming already underway include youth drop-in and information nights, grief and loss support, sharing circles, the boys and girls club and the homework club. Ratt noted the homework club is a new program and takes place every day after school between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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“We’re looking for youth who are consistent and who show up to every event where they are able to help out,” he said. “It’s beneficial for them because they are getting volunteer experience, they are really active in the community and they are also mentors for the younger generation.”

In the future, the panel has plans to become incorporated, so they can begin to access funding on the provincial and federal levels.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno