In St’uxwtéws Bonaparte First Nation (SBFN) some young people that were considered high risk had stopped living at home, which had progressed from couch surfing within the community at unhealthy homes to going outside of the community and crashing at the homes of drug dealers and individuals of negative influence. These youth were being ‘groomed’ by the people in these places into participating in illegal activities and the family and community of these youths were incredibly concerned.  The environments they were staying in were dangerous, they had not been to school in months, and the family or community could not gain access to the youth in these spaces.  A St’uxwtéws Bonaparte First Nation worker was able to gain access by way of connections through their previous work and reach the youth by offering them paid honorariums for assisting in some classes we were facilitating if they would show up free from substance.  They did show up, and they began to be more engaged in what our guests were speaking about.  Not only did they come back for each class, but they ended up being participants in the class. 

One of the most powerful learning moments for these youth to witness was when their own community members, people they have watched struggle in the toxic drug crisis and being homeless, spoke about their lived experience, about why they have chosen the red road now, the path of life lived in harmony, balance, and respect and what changes being sober and housed has made in their lives.  You could see the lights go on, and the changes in their choices afterward were intense.  They all returned home; the band was able to support their family by creating more appropriate spaces for the youth, they are supported with getting to and from our classes and groups and functions.  These young people are changed, they attend school and are doing well.  While they are only a quarter of our high-risk youth that have chosen this path there are roughly 12 youth that are considered in immediate danger, the gift here is that the remaining nine are now paying attention to these ones and we are confident that we will see more growth in this area.