A new mentorship program recently invited reformed gang members from Winnipeg to schools and communities in the Yukon to help support young people who may be at risk.

Reformed gang members of the Four Sacred Hearts group from Winnipeg visited Yukon in the last week of May to share their life stories and teach youth about traditional culture, ceremonies, and land-based skills. The Four Sacred Hearts group is working with the Northern Cultural Expressions Society (NCES) and local groups to help tackle the growing problem of youth gang involvement in Whitehorse and nearby areas.

The initiative connects young people with mentors who have faced similar struggles in order to show them support and strengthen their confidence, cultural roots, and ability to make positive choices. The group of reformed gang members included four men and one woman, who spoke to students from grades 6, 7, 10, and 12. The visitors also led a series of community events focused on healing, transformation, and cultural reclamation, including one-on-one sessions with youth and opportunities for personal reflection and collective renewal among community elders.

This initiative is a part of the response to the tragic incident on January 1, when a 17-year-old boy was shot outside the NCES gallery. To find long-term solutions, NCES reached out to the Youth Achievement Centre and other groups already helping at-risk youth, along with local schools, the RCMP, Yukon First Nations leaders, and the Yukon First Nations Education Directorate.

Source: Jake Howarth, Yukon News