Hope, healing, and a new beginning: new Indigenous youth space opens in Sudbury
By Laura E. Young
SUDBURY – Cooking, cleaning, gardening, traditional harvesting, and especially housing — they’re all part of the services and “a new way of life” for Indigenous youth in or heading out of child welfare.
The Enji-maajiigawat Mina-waadiziwin, “Starting a New Way of Life” centre, was officially opened through Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services (Kina) Nov. 20 on wooded land on Bancroft Drive in Sudbury’s east end.
“It’s such an honour to be able to bring forward a holistic support service hub for the youth that we serve in care and in transition from care,” said Denise Morrow, Kina’s executive director.
From Northern Youth Services, Kina leases five hectares and a 7,785-square-feet of building for indoor and outdoor programming, as well as transitional housing. Land acquisition is in the works.
Vital services include an Elder in-residence, a sweat lodge, gazebo, and garden.
Seven lightly furnished rooms, recently renovated, are adorned with one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings on the door.
The rooms are expected to open for use in 2025; they need to hire 10 workers to staff the housing, according to Kina.
“It’s amazing that we’re now able to offer additional services for our youth that are residing in the district of Sudbury and that we have land to deliver culturally-based services,” Morrow said. “Our youth are part of all the planning. Even in terms of youth housing, they are giving us feedback on policies and programs. They’re giving us advice on what they need because they know their reality and their situation the best.”
“I’m very thrilled for what’s to come for it and being part of that journey more in depth for the youth that are going to come through these doors and [to] set them up for success. That’s what I prayed for when we opened,” said Katelyn Corbiere, coordinator of the youth advisory council, which is another first for Kina.
A lot of their youth struggle with homelessness, Corbiere said.
“We’re opening up this transitional home to transition them from precarious housing to more stable housing,” said Corbiere.
There are other barriers, including mental health and substance misuse. It comes with the territory with the intergenerational trauma they are facing, Corbiere added.
“We focus on bringing them back to the culture, having a Kwe representative bringing them back to their identity and their healing, if they’re ready for it and if they’re willing. But also giving them that sense of mentorship and positive role models.”
In terms of looking forward, Dayna Cyr, the Kwe representative on the council, liked the idea of cultural activities being available that youth can attend.
“There’s a Round Dance happening here. Let’s go to that. If they’re in the housing, they can go to that. I find the culture really helps the healing,” she said.
Having friends they can talk to, fill a role, “like an aunt wood, have that connection in a friendly way,” Cyr added.
Abrielle Mishibinijima, the mental health and addictions rep on the youth council, spoke to barriers youth face, obstacles that were a factor during her time in care.
“I had a hard time growing up in my culture. Even doing things that are land-based, when they took us to [see] horses, that was my area of healing. It would be good for opportunities to do that,” she said.
In 2022, Kina brought the idea forward the plan for an urban-based support centre for families and youth to the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs; the focus was on addressing critical issues around housing and other vital supports.
Two years later, partners on-hand for the grand opening included government officials, partner agency representatives, and Greater Sudbury Police Services (GSPS).
“I am hopeful for the future because of the collaboration I’m seeing in Sudbury,” said Sara Cunningham, chief of GSPS, as she opened her congratulatory remarks.
Kina supports seven First Nations and their affiliates living off-reserve, and others living in Sudbury and Manitoulin. In addition to youth, Kina cares for 236 families, 58 per cent of whom are living off-reserve, mostly in Sudbury.