Central Okanagan

Provides high-quality youth services to aboriginal and non-aboriginal youth in Prince George and Burns Lake. The purpose of Carrier Sekani Youth Services is to prevent and reduce youth substance use/abuse and violence while improving outcomes for youth in the north.

Includes the following:

Walk Tall Program(Prince George): Offers afterschool programming for youth ages 8-18. Junior Walk Tall groups are comprised of youth ages 8-12 years, and senior Walk Tall is 13-18 years. The goal of each group is to provide a safe and supportive place where youth can experience new opportunities, build positive relationships, overcome barriers, and learn about Carrier Culture.

Culture Camps: Provides teachings of the traditional practices of Carrier Sekani Territory.

The Elder Youth Mentorship programs: Aims to provide opportunities for engagement and cultural permanency for Saik’uz and Lake Babine First Nation’s youth in care. Elder Mentors involved will receive training and support throughout the mentorship process. Elder mentors, youth in care, caregivers, and CSFS staff participate in events focused on language revitalization, cultural teachings, and relationship building. Elder Youth Mentorship events are hosted either bi-weekly (Saik’uz) or monthly (Lake Babine Nation).

Cultural Engagement Program: Youth Services has a dedicated worker that establishes connections with communities and identifies cultural knowledge holders, while connecting those individuals with youth via planned activities, groups, individual work, etc. The Cultural Engagement Worker develops strong working relationships and liaises with MCFD, Youth Forensics, and other programs through Carrier Sekani to identify youth who would be willing to engage and work on cultural growth, life skills, and connection to family and community.

The Lifeskills Program: Provides informed and knowledgeable direction and support to young people who need skills training (grocery shopping, budgeting, accessing community services, understanding government processes, etc.). The Lifeskills Worker has a robust understanding of the realities and challenges that youth face daily and will motivate and direct those individuals through the use of example-leadership, coaching and establishing accountability for youth to build relevant and meaningful skills that will help navigate appropriate services. They establish and maintain healthy, trusting relationships and act as a role model to the youth, offering guidance, support, encouragement and stability, all in a cultural context while also maintaining healthy boundaries. They work in collaboration with the rest of the staff at Youth Services to provide a holistic service plan.