Inuvik (Dec 10/04) - The Inuvik Youth Centre is "a leaky boat that people are going to get tired of patching," according to Dennis Allen, a founding member of the Inuvik Youth Society.

The time to act is now, said Allen, who recently returned to the board and is trying to garner support for the centre.

Dennis Allen, a founding member of what is now the Inuvik Youth Society, says more involvement from the aboriginal community is needed at the Inuvik Youth Centre. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

Efforts to keep the Inuvik Youth Centre afloat financially while implementing new programs is a huge responsibility and the community needs to pitch in, he said.

The Inuvik Youth Society board manages the operation of the centre, which is a popular hangout for many of the town's youth.

"Whenever the youth centre is in danger of closing down, people start pointing fingers," he said. "And I'm guilty of that, too, and that's why I joined up again."

Allen says the efforts of previous boards, made up of "transients" -- non-aboriginals who stay in the community for a limited time -- have been well-intentioned, but what is needed is more involvement from the community.

"(The board members) even admitted that it's hard for them to relate to the kids (who use the centre) because they're not immersed in the culture," he said.

"Really, who should be in there are the parents of these children who use the centre."

However, the chances of that happening anytime soon are not promising, Allen said.

Many blame government policies that effectively institutionalized aboriginal people for the resulting mindset among many that the government will take care of them.

In other words, they don't bother to get involved in their community, they just expect someone else will do it.

"Some of these kids don't really have a place to go where it's safe to play and enjoy themselves," he said.

Though the centre is not in any immediate danger of closing, "The society is in a constant state of fundraising," added Allen.

Tackling this issue, he says, takes away from program planning and expanding the services the centre can provide.

These big plans aside, Allen says any amount of effort from the community members would be appreciated.

"Even if it's just stopping by once and a while to shoot a game of pool with somebody, every little bit helps," said Allen, whose recent impromptu guitar clinic may blossom into something bigger and more regular.

"These kids need some role models. We need good, solid local board members," he said.

"I can't stress this enough because we have to look after these issues or else they will just keep feeding on themselves and one day explode."