IndigenousThe Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre in Regina recently made a call out for nominations for a Mama Bear Made it Happen contest, looking to recognize single mothers who are making ends meet, juggling responsibilities and managing it to make it happen for their kids.Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre holds monthly Mama Bear Made it Happen giveawaysLouise BigEagle · CBC News · Posted: Nov 06, 2025 6:15 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Star Maxie and her daughter Twyla. She says she is excited to go on her shopping experience. Her daughter will tag along as she buys boots and winter gear. (Submitted by Star Maxie)The first winner of a $1,500 shopping experience for single First Nations moms says learning she had been chosen came as a relief.”I appreciate it so much, it came at a time when I was pretty worried about the upcoming month and then just the relief of knowing that things are going to be OK,” said Star Maxie, from White Bear First Nation.The Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre in Regina recently made a call out for nominations for a monthly Mama Bear Made it Happen contest, looking to recognize single mothers who are making ends meet, juggling responsibilities and managing it to make it happen for their kids.The friendship centre was offering the winner a $1,500 shopping experience for things like groceries, clothing, household items, or child-related needs. They received 580 nominations and support from community members wanting to help out with the giveaway.Maxie said winning the giveaway came as she was about to face the fifth anniversary of her baby son’s death.”The anniversary is always the toughest and just living through that and just thinking it’s another year without the headstone,” said Maxie.A portion of her shopping experience will go toward a headstone for her son, something she said was a huge relief. Maxie was nominated by her daughter Twyla, 19, who hopes to become a paramedic then a firefighter and is currently doing online courses to do so.”I love my mom and we’ve been through a lot and growing up raising me as a single mom, she deserves the world,” said Twyla.Twyla Maxie and her mom faced homelessness and the loss of her grandma, baby brother during the pandemic.Twyla said she and her mom cried a lot when she found out she was nominated, and the pair shed tears of joy when they learned Star won.Star Maxie and her daughter Twyla Maxie. (Submitted by Star Maxie)She said she is grateful for her mom to get this experience and all she has done for her.”What I’ve experienced growing up, just watching my mom be like the biggest hero in my life,” Twyla said. Taylor Apperley, an intensive case co-ordinator and program co-ordinator with The Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre said the monthly giveaway was created to uplift women, especially mothers. “We know single moms don’t always ask for help and they may need it more than anyone else; there’s no harder job than being a mom,” said Apperley.Apperley said when she called Star to let her know she won, it was pretty emotional and she could hear her excitement over the phone.”She just seems like the most deserving person and the way she’s handled her win is inspiring; her story is inspiring,” said Apperley.Apperley said the winning mother not only gets a shopping experience but they get to have a self-care treatment whether it’s a mani-pedi or a massage.Star Maxie said she thinks this is a once in a lifetime experience, a huge blessing, and she will nominate someone in the future.”For them to be running a contest like this, it’s pretty huge and there’s quite a bit of well deserving women out there I can think of,” said Star Maxie.Maxie said she’s also going to get a hand-mixer and electric kettle and go shopping with Twyla with her remaining winnings. ABOUT THE AUTHORLouise has been a journalist with CBC since September 2022. She is Nakota/Cree from Ocean Man First Nation. She holds a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Regina. Louise can be reached at louise.bigeagle@cbc.ca.
White Bear First Nation mom wins $1,500 shopping experience
