Student leads with character, service
‘My kookum was pretty hyped up about it’, Brazeau says of $100,000 from Loran Scholars Foundation
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/01/2024 (793 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Last year was a big one for Cadena Brazeau.
In March, the 18-year-old was one of two Manitobans — along with 34 other finalists across the country — to be chosen as a Loran Scholar, a $100,000 award given annually to those who embody the Loran Scholars Foundation’s core values of character, service and leadership.
The other is Ridhwanlai Badmos of Winnipeg.
Cadena Brazeau (centre, with sunglasses on her head), shown last month at a basketball tournament she helped organize in Keeseekoowenin First Nation. (Supplied)
Nearly 4,800 students applied for the scholarship, which offers recipients an annual living stipend and tuition waiver, as well as mentorship and opportunities to gather with other Loran Scholars.
Brazeau, who is from Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation in western Manitoba, is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in law and society at the University of Calgary.
“I’m very proud and grateful to be named a Loran Scholar,” Brazeau says. “It still feels surreal to this day.”
One of the things that caught the attention of the foundation was Brazeau’s efforts to open the first youth centre in her community.
The youth centre was built prior to COVID-19, but sat empty during the first two years of the pandemic. In the summer of 2022, Brazeau and cousin Keegan Bone took action.
They co-ordinated fundraisers that allowed them to open the centre’s doors and offer young people in their community a place to play games, watch movies and get something to eat.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Recreation Manitoba needs volunteers for its upcoming conference and trade show, which is returning as an in-person event for the first time since 2020. Volunteers are being sought to help with a variety of duties, including registration, session monitoring and social media. This is an opportunity to gain skills and explore career opportunities in recreation management, kinesiology, business and other fields. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and flexible hours are available. Email h.reimer@brandon.ca or apply online at http://wfp.to/jVF by Feb. 21.
The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre needs wildlife education volunteers to help teach others about wildlife and work with wildlife ambassadors. Scheduling is flexible, and there are opportunities to present at schools, day camps, and events. Volunteers can strengthen their public speaking skills and gain knowledge about Manitoba wildlife and wildlife rehabilitation. Apply online at http://wfp.to/jVg by March 30.
Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS) is seeking Ukraine Relief volunteers to help support newcomers in Manitoba. Volunteers will help in areas such as translation, interpretation and youth programs as part of a network of service-providing organizations. Volunteers will be referred to other organizations based on their areas of interest and the needs of the organizations. Email ukrainesupport@needsinc.ca, go online to http://wfp.to/jVz or call 204-940-1323 by Dec. 31.
Urban Stable needs horse handlers to help students groom, lead and ride their horses in its hands-on learning program in Stonewall. Weekday daytime availability is required. Horse experience is preferred. Volunteer orientation is on Feb. 1; email info@urbanstable.ca before then.
The Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. is seeking volunteers for Elmwood Winter Fun Day. The event is at Clara Hughes Park, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 10. Those interested are invited to attend an orientation meeting at 180 Poplar Ave. at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 to learn more about the duties. Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions, including setup, take down, sustainability, food handling, activities, first aid, games and hockey/ice skating. Must be 16 or older and eligible to volunteer for at least two hours, with the option to volunteer for up to eight hours. Email rec@chalmersrenewal.org or call 204-669-0750 by Feb. 1.
Ironman Outdoor Curling needs a fundraising/charity co-ordinator. The co-ordinator will create and implement fundraising activities and manage databases, and must be available during the bonspiel weekend. This is an opportunity to help the Heart and Stroke Foundation, HOPE Worldwide Canada and curling. Monthly committee meetings last two hours, and the position offers flexible hours. Email volunteermanitoba@ironmancurling.com or apply online at http://wfp.to/jt3 by March 31.
The Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) needs volunteers for its Homework and Education for Youth (HEY) after-school program. The program runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Tutors help youth with their homework, building a meaningful and lasting relationship. Tutors don’t have to be an expert, but they should be able to use the available resources to create a rich learning experience. Must be 18 years or older, able to commit to at least one two-hour shift per week for three months, and undergo criminal record check and child abuse registry checks. (The costs will be reimbursed.) Apply at http://wfp.to/NNJ by June 30.
U-Turn Parkinson’s needs program volunteers to help class instructors as needed and provide one-on-one support. Volunteers will also help with demonstrating exercises (with guidance from the instructor), setup and cleaning up. Volunteers will be invited to special events throughout the year. Apply online at http://wfp.to/jtD or email info@uturnpd.org.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Brazeau chaired the community’s youth committee, planned events, cooked food and gave youth rides to the centre.
“My favourite part of volunteering was seeing the youth have fun and enjoying themselves in a safe and sober environment,” she says. “That’s not something we see a lot back home.”
In addition to her work at the centre, Brazeau volunteered as a community representative for Treaty 2’s youth council and sat on the student council at her high school, Strathclair Community School.
Brazeau says she is inspired to volunteer by people she’s encountered who work to break cycles of intergenerational trauma.
“Growing up, I didn’t have many people to look up to that were breaking cycles,” she says. “Once you see a few people doing it, it’s like, well, I want to play my role as well.”
Brazeau’s accomplishments earned her a spot on Winnipeg radio personality Ace Burpee’s list of the 100 most fascinating Manitobans for 2023.
“I was surprised to make the list. It was cool,” Brazeau says. “I know my kookum was pretty hyped up about it. It was cute. I didn’t know that I was on it and then she sent it to me as soon as she read it (in the Free Press).”
Brazeau has a passion for Indigenous law and hopes to become a lawyer.
In the meantime, she’s enjoying her studies in Calgary and still volunteers in her community whenever she’s home.
During her Christmas break, she helped organize a youth basketball tournament.
“I’m very proud to come from Treaty 2 territory,” she says. “There are a lot of struggles that people in our community face but, at the end of the day, we’re always there for each other. That’s what I find really beautiful about my community.”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
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