WHATI/LAC LA MARTRE
Loreen Beaverho is the first recipient of a Tlicho Government youth award, thanks to a recently launched awards program.

Loreen Beaverho, originally from Whati, received the first ever Tlicho Government youth award earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Loreen Beaverho

The 27-year-old from Whati is now a social services worker in Alberta and is in her final year of a bachelor degree in social work program from the University of Regina, which she earned through the Aurora College Social Work Program.

She said it was the support and encouragement from those around her that helped her achieve her goals.

"There are a lot of people in my life who have contributed to where I am in life," she said. "I feel like they are the ones entitled to that award."

Because she had recently moved to Alberta, Beaverho wasn't able to attend the Tlicho Government's awards ceremony in Behchoko on Jan. 14.

But she said she was thrilled to have been chosen.

"I was excited about the award," she said.

Beaverho was one of 14 individuals and groups recognized by the Tlicho Government for "protecting, preserving and enhancing the Tlicho way of life," according to a Tlicho Government news release.

Other winners included elders and members of the Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement negotiating teams.

Beaverho spent five years as a social worker in the Northwest Territories before taking her new job in Alberta.

She said even from a young age, she knew she wanted a job that would allow her to help others.

"I was in Grade 10 and I was thinking about what I wanted to do in my life. As I was looking out, there was a lady who was walking down the road and she was a social worker in the community," she said. "It just hit on the spot."

Beaverho had always earned good grades in social studies.

"It kind of made sense that I would choose a career in that field," she said.

She also understands how hard it can be for an individual to realize his or her capability.

"I know everyone has the potential to do good things in their lives," she said. "Sometimes they are faced with boundaries or they've put themselves in a situation where they feel like everything is against them in the world."

Her own experience has been her greatest teacher, she added.

"My approach is, if I can do this, anybody else can," she said.

Beaverho said she hopes more youth from the Northwest Territories will get educations and take those skills back to their home communities.

"I'd just like to encourage aboriginal youth to proceed in their education and to move forward on trying to accomplish their goals," she said. "Nothing is impossible."