BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Renee Ekendia is passionate about helping her community. That's why she was chosen as the winner of this year's Outstanding Youth Award for her work in Behchoko.

Renee Ekendia of Behchoko was named as the youth recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Awards late last month. The Grade 12 student at Chief Jimmy Bruneau School received $500 to give to the cause of her choice as part of the win and donated the money to the school's sports program. - photo courtesy of Chris Stanbridge

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) gives out the awards each year to recognize community members who dedicate their time to helping others.

"We have events in the community probably once a month for the whole entire community," Ekendia said. "I go down and help out with what they need."

Ekendia is always ready to help out and often assists to chaperon youth sports trips, such as traveling with about 30 children_ for a soccer tournament in Fort Liard last December. She said she also loves to organize the community's slo-pitch games, which she runs from 7 to 9 p.m. five days a week.

Ekendia is also a vital force when it comes to the community's fundraising efforts, helping to sell baked goods and run canteens to raise money to send the community's sports teams to tournaments and competitions.

"I think it's important to keep the youth active and to motivate them," she said.

After spending so much time organizing events and activities, Ekendia said she has decided to make it her career. She graduated from Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in May and said she has applied for the Event Management program at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton.

The program will give her the skills she needs to return to Behchoko to work, she said.

"If I get my certificate, I plan to work as a sport co-ordinator," she said.

Ekendia's dedication to her community was one of the reasons she was selected for the award, according to MACA.

"Renee is committed to making each event a success. Renee understands the value of volunteering; she is always the first one to offer her help and is often found volunteering her time morning or night," states the department.

"The community of Behchoko takes pride in having such a generous and selfless community member and appreciates all the hard work of this young volunteer."

Ekendia knows her work is helping to make her a role model among youth in the community and she said she had a message for others who are thinking of volunteering.

"Be positive," she said. "Be happy."

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