FHQTC launches contest to keep youth members active and engaged during Covid-19
- Michelle Lerat | June 23, 2020
File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council’s (FHQTC) youth leadership team has developed the YAPInspire contest to reward healthy and active lifestyles. Nicole Akan, Curtis Delorme and Cory Gambler are members of the youth leadership team who created the contest. YAP stands for youth action plan.
“We want to keep our youth safe and happy,” said Akan. “Also, we want to inspire other youth so we’re asking them how they are spending their time in doors or outside and how are they social distancing.”
The contest is for youth age 8-24 and members of FHQTC who live on reserve or in urban areas. Children under the age of 8 can also take part with a parent or guardians help. To enter the contest, upload a photo or video showing how you stay healthy and active during the pandemic and use the hashtag #YAPInspire. You can also nominate someone to be entered into the contest. Make sure your post is public so the youth leadership team can see it.
For those who are not on Facebook you can still participate by calling Akan at FHQTC and emailing the photos or videos.
“With the whole Covid-19 we know that this affects social anxiety and a lot of mental health and depression,” said Delorme. “So, we … try and keep in contact with the youth letting them know that our team [is] available for them via a phone call, text or Facebook message when we can't physically come out to their communities.”
Weekly draws are held on Facebook live every Friday at 3 p.m. on the FHQTC YAP Facebook page. The contest will run through the summer until August 28th. Each week the winner can pick from a variety of gift basket prizes including a beading kit, a hand drum kit, art supplies and more. Once a month the winners of the weekly prize will draw for a bigger prize such as air pods or a $200 gift certificate to Sports Check.
“All the kids that have won have been really ecstatic.” said Delorme. The parents have been telling us that the kids love it and it gives them something to do and something to look forward to.”
Prize baskets can be delivered to the winners while practicing social distancing or can be picked up at FHQTC.
So far there have been two weekly prize draws. June 26th will be the first draw for a big prize.
“Right now, we’re still in the beginning stages and we’re really hoping that it snowballs.” said Akan.