Building Vibrant Youth Video Series

Positive youth development is an evidence-based approach to helping young people group up strong and resilient, based on building relationships with the young people around you and helping them to find opportunities to learn, grow and give back to the community. The Building Vibrant Youth Video Series showcases examples of northern Saskatchewan adults using the approach to support youth in their communities to educate audiences about positive youth development and to inspire others to do the same.

"It wasn't just about volleyball, it was about life too." Check out the story of how one northern Saskatchewan adult made a difference in the life of a young person in his community. Everyone can help support northern Saskatchewan youth to grow up healthy and happy.

Cultural continuity is an important protective factor for Indigenous youth. Listen as adults in northern Saskatchewan talk about how tradition, language and culture influenced them and their hopes for the young people in their communities. Everyone can help support northern Saskatchewan youth to grow up healthy and happy.

Being a champion for youth starts with listening to them. Anyone can be a leader in engaging and supporting young people. Everyone can help support northern Saskatchewan youth to grow up healthy and happy.

"Kids and youth generally need a safe space. They need somebody who is going to care for them, who is not only going to be their friend, but be that role model that they need." Cheryl Bear shares her story of working with young people in Flying Dust First Nation and why her community and her work make her face light up. Intentional efforts by everyone in a community to provide opportunities for youth to enhance their interests, skills and abilities (positive youth development) is a proven way to help our young people grow up strong. Getting started is simple – engage and get to know the young people around you, learn about what’s important to them and help them find opportunities to grow and give back to the community.

Involvement in sport can have positive impacts on young people that go well beyond physical activity. In this video, northern Saskatchewan community members share how sport helped them build character and give examples of how other adults can get involved in sport programs for youth.

"We actually came back with a couple of provincial golds. And the change in body language that I saw in those athletes, that's my paycheck, right." Coach Chris Brownrigg shares his story of working with youth by providing an extra curricular activity (wrestling) for youth to participate in. Everyone can help support northern Saskatchewan youth to grow up healthy and happy.

"Her dedication and her determination and focus on these kids is really what makes Northern Spirits unique, is having that commitment from an adult. That's what these kids need, is that level of commitment that Sheryl has." Everyone can help support northern Saskatchewan youth to grow up healthy and happy.

Positive relationships with non-parent adults build and protect youth wellbeing. Be a resilience builder. Getting involved in mentoring youth through tradition teachings is an approach used by Shane, whom identified drumming as an activity and tradition he could involve the kids in.

Traditions bring people together and provide youth a sense of belonging. “It brings joy to my heart to know that I am helping the youth in my community and that I am making a difference in their lives” Shane.

Here is a story of Indigenous Spirits from La Ronge.

Indigenous Spirits is a youth-led movement to bring back traditions, culture, land-based learning and language to unite the community.

Learning and participating in traditional and cultural practices builds and protects youth wellbeing. Be a resilience builder.

It is never too late to get out and enjoy the land, whether through hunting, trapping or even enjoying some physical activity. In order for our young people to learn and appreciate culture and traditions, they need mentors to show them the way. “I desire for young people to be taught this way” Elder Elias Sewap. “ "Being out on the land and mentoring youth brings a sense of pride to your culture, your family, and learning the ways of your elders” Alton Michel.

Here is a story of a land based program from Pelican Narrows.