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Newly-formed youth council plans first events

The newly-formed Inuvik Native Band Youth Council (INBYC) is in the process of planning its
first events.

Rhonda-Lee Cardinal, left, Trevor Charlie, and Mariyah Snowshoe pose in the Inuvik Native Band office after attending the Annual General Assembly.
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo

According to the INBYC’s mission statement, its goal is to “create 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
community.”
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’in; Jayda Sittichinli, who is also a member of the Inuvik Drummers and
Dancers; Rhonda-Lee Cardinal, who is Gwich’in; and Ashley Okrainec, who is of Gwich’in,
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’s report, he mentioned the importance of engaging the INB’s youth
and elder members.
“We also have the intention in this new year to engage our youth and elder members,” Neyando
said. “Specifically, 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.”
Snowshoe said in the INBYC’s 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.
“What we’re 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,” Snowshoe said. “That’s where we’re starting from right now.”
Cardinal said they’re currently in the process of putting together their first events. She said they
don’t have many resources yet, so they’re 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.