The concept of Open Areas for young people developed by the Quebec government has its first indigenous variation in Waswanipi, in Cree territory. And the project arouses so much enthusiasm that we are already thinking of implementing it in all of the nine Cree communities in the north.
“We care about you,” chef Irene Neeposh repeated in English to the teenagers who had come to the inauguration Friday noon. ” This space is for you. You might need it when life gets tough. »
The Waswanipi Open Area was named Uskâu ihtûwin (“New Directions” in Cree). Its premises were set up near the river, in what is called the Waswanipi cultural village, a place associated with the community’s elders and traditional activities.
Inside the circular-shaped venue, the walls are decorated with patterns of bear paw prints. There are large sofas, a kitchenette and sewing machines.
Eddy Happyjack Jr. has worked there as a “youth life coach” since the launch of the pilot project last year. “The activities that we organize linked to the culture and the territory are good,” he explains in English. Young people love it and even agree to put aside their computers and cell phones on these occasions. “You can learn to cut fish, beaver, moose, caribou…”
Young people consulted from the start
Uskâu ihtûwin received $600,000 from the Quebec government as part of Open Aires, a mental health program for 12-25 year olds. Among the Crees, we expanded the targeted group to 35 years old.
The Open Areas are a kind of new kind of community center. They were designed to attract and welcome young people going through crises and guide them towards the health services to which they are entitled, but which they often do not use. One of their particularities is that they are “thought out” by young people from the start, explains the Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant. Thus, a committee of young people is consulted even before the opening, “on the site, the decor, the professionals, the schedule”, he explains.
It’s a part that pleased the people of Waswanipi, believes Minister Carmant. “It’s designed by young people and for young people. And that brings everyone together. »
According to Mr. Happyjack, the most popular activity is canoe racing in the river. The speaker is interrupted in his explanations by a teenager… who urges him to organize one. “I don’t think so, because the water in the river is too cold,” he replies, before offering her a portage race instead. Without success, the young person visibly preferring to sail at full speed to carrying a canoe on his back.
Among the nine Cree communities, Waswanipi is the one located furthest south, near Chapais and Chibougamau, in the middle of the area hard hit by the forest fires.
Take charge
In these remote areas like Montreal, local leaders are eagerly looking for new ways to reach out to young people experiencing distress.
There are now Open Areas in 26 cities in Quebec. And since 2018, they have helped more than 8,000 young people, according to data from the Ministry of Health. A total of $40 million has already been committed to the program.
According to Minister Carmant, the main difference between the Waswanipi Open Area and those of southern Quebec is on the side of the stakeholders. So, rather than working with social workers or sexologists, young people are followed by “youth life coaches” like Mr. Happyjack. The community had no choice but to train local staff without certification itself, said Chief Neeposh during her meeting with Quebec elected officials. “We can’t sit around waiting for psychologists to show up. There is no guarantee that people will survive while waiting. »
The idea with this center is to create referral places for young people, summarized vice-chief Rhonda Oblin Cooper. The community has a clinic, she said, but young people experiencing distress don’t go there. “For them, it’s confronting, too formal,” she said. There are doctors, and it’s in the same building as the youth protection services. There is distrust. »
First steps
The atmosphere was festive on Friday during the inauguration of the Uskâu ihtûwin center. Ministers Lionel Carmant and Ian Lafrenière were able to attend a distinctive event in the Cree tradition, the ceremony welcoming children (“ walking out “). On the banks of the river, a good hundred people gathered to see a tiny girl emerge from a teepee and set foot on the ground for the first time on a carpet of fresh fir leaves.
“We are going through difficult times, and I am always looking for opportunities to celebrate,” said Chef Neeposh. We want to show young people that there are positive things. »
Positive things, the community really needs it. In January, the Bois d’oeuvre Cre sawmill, which had been open for barely a year, was devastated by a fire. Then, in March, four residents died in a car accident. An immense tragedy in this tightly knit environment where barely 2,000 people live.
During the visit, the fence of the school playground was decorated with heart-shaped papers in memory of one of those who died in the accident, who welcomed the children every day at this entrance to the playground. ‘school.
A new female leadership
Mmy Neeposh and Oblin Cooper were the first women elected to lead the community in 2022. “They belong to a new generation of leaders who want to do things differently,” noted the president of the Cree Health and Welfare Council. James Bay social services, Bertie Wapachee.
It is also a woman who has led the Grand Council of the Crees since 2021, Mandy Gull. For her, the project will certainly be taken up elsewhere among the Crees. “It’s a process that will be repeated in other communities. » The presence at the inauguration of the leader of the neighboring community of Oujé-Bougoumou, Gaston Cooper, also testifies to this interest, she points out.
This announcement comes as the Cree Nation seeks to regain control of its social services in terms of youth protection, like what the Attikameks did in Opitciwan.
They also set up the Cree Youth Protection Commission to think about it. Since last year, two commissioners, Lorraine Spencer and Bella Moses Petawabano, have been combing the territory to consult the population on this subject.
In addition, in February the Supreme Court rejected Quebec’s appeal challenging federal law C-92, which allows Indigenous nations to develop their own youth protection systems.
However, this does not prevent the Crees from wanting to form partnerships with Quebec, maintains the great chief. “I want there to be more relations with Quebecers,” she said. It is very important for me. »