Fort Liard (Sep 03/04) - After being closed twice due to vandalism, the Fort Liard youth centre is about to open its doors again.

This time the facility, renamed the Acho Dene Youth and Family Centre, will be overseen by the newly-formed Fort Liard Youth Committee. Several adolescents met on Aug. 24 to fill seats on the executive.

Robert Loe, a 2004 high school graduate, was named chairperson of the committee. He said he's excited about the prospects.

"This committee is all youth and just guided by the older people," he said. "It gives me something to do outside of work."

Fawna Erasmus, hired as the Acho Dene Koe's youth coordinator last month, said the youth committee is aiming to increase family participation in events, seeking volunteers and striving to become self-sufficient through canteen sales and other fundraisers.

By creating a youth committee, it's hoped the community's adolescents will feel a greater sense of responsibility and ownership of the youth centre, Erasmus explained.

"Some of the youth are working on the building. We're hoping that sends the message, 'Don't write on those walls, I sanded those walls,'" she said.

The youth centre will be equipped with a couple of computers, furniture and televisions. The existing pool table will remain as will a pinball machine, which is in need of repair.

Erasmus said part of her role is to teach life skills such as cooking and budgeting. She will also promote higher education, active living and a healthy lifestyle.

She added that other resource people in the community are helping out such as Brian Mavin, who works with the youth part time, and Acho Dene Koe youth councillor Jana Deneron.

Elders also play a vital role through cultural camps, such as the one held at Muskeg River in early August, Erasmus noted. There, the youths were involved in self-esteem workshops and suicide prevention. They also went on nature walks, worked on moose hides, made birch-bark baskets and dried meat. Another cultural camp is being planned for the winter.