The newly-formed Inuvik Native Band Youth Council (INBYC) is in the process of planning its
first events.
Samantha McKay/黑料吃瓜网 photo
According to the INBYC鈥檚 mission statement, its goal is to 鈥渃reate positive opportunities that
encourage growth, leadership and confidence by delivering or promoting programs that facilitate
healthy lifestyles based on traditional values and well-being for the youth and elders in the
肠辞尘尘耻苍颈迟测.鈥�
The council, which was formed Jan. 15, currently has five members: Trevor Charlie, who is
originally from Fort McPherson but has been living in Inuvik for 10 years; Mariyah Snowshoe,
who is Teetlit Gwich鈥檌n; Jayda Sittichinli, who is also a member of the Inuvik Drummers and
Dancers; Rhonda-Lee Cardinal, who is Gwich鈥檌n; and Ashley Okrainec, who is of Gwich鈥檌n,
Polish, Ukrainian, and English descent.
Snowshoe, Cardinal, and Charlie attended the Inuvik Native Band (INB) annual general
assembly Sunday, Feb. 4, where the creation of the youth council was highlighted as a promising
new initiative within the INB.
In Chief Lawrence Neyando鈥檚 report, he mentioned the importance of engaging the INB鈥檚 youth
and elder members.
鈥淲e also have the intention in this new year to engage our youth and elder members,鈥� Neyando
said. 鈥淪pecifically, to show that they are very much valued for the promise for the future, and the
solid history and knowledge that can be shared and forever built upon.鈥�
Snowshoe said in the INBYC鈥檚 preliminary research, they found that the top five issues for
elders and youth in Inuvik are alcohol and drug abuse, bullying of youth and elders, the health
system, education, and housing/homelessness.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e going to try to do is create activities and promote them so we can implement
healthy living and fun events while giving them the resources they need to deal with these
issues,鈥� Snowshoe said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where we鈥檙e starting from right now.鈥�
Cardinal said they鈥檙e currently in the process of putting together their first events. She said they
don鈥檛 have many resources yet, so they鈥檙e going to start by drawing from the skills of council
members, such as sewing and playing guitar.
The council also plans to hold sharing circles at the school.
