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BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO - A youth activist in Behchoko has written an open letter to community organizations accusing the Community Government of Behchoko of preventing the youth from developing a new youth centre.

Marvin Apples, 20, is a high school student, radio personality and community activist in Behchoko.

He and two classmates, Ritchie Martin and Colin Beaulieu, wrote an open letter to Tlicho Grand Chief George Mackenzie last week describing the problems they have faced in trying to provide the youth of Behchoko with a quality youth centre.

They describe having their plans shot down time and time again by the community government.

Apples accused the Community Government of Behchoko of deterring the youth instead of working with them to find a solution.

"We're just having too many community government meetings and we're getting tired of their nonsense," he said.

However, a spokesperson for the community government said they tried to meet with Apples to discuss youth centre plans but he has ignored their invitations to meetings.

Spokesperson Craig Yeo said the community government wants to work with Apples but said he has refused to accept invitations to meet with administration.

"I called Marvin twice and left messages and they weren't returned. I called him four times and invited him to a meeting with the community government and he has always refused," said Yeo.

Yeo provided unanswered e-mails with invitations to Apples to come and talk.

He said he is frustrated by these accusations of manipulation.

"In this letter and repeatedly in public they have said the community government won't help them and won't work with them, but they refuse to meet with us, so why are we at fault for not cooperating?" asked Yeo.

Apples' said his vision is for a youth center owned and operated by the youth of Behchoko.

He said he wants this youth center to exist outside the $10 million dollar sportsplex that is scheduled for completion in 2010. Apples said if the youth center is run by youth and for youth, it will help teach responsibility and respect.

Apples spent the past six years volunteering at the community's old youth centre. He helped with fundraising and volunteered after school to help with programs.

"That building was run by bingos, bake sales, and we all pitched in and volunteered, and that was how we paid our bills," said Apples.

After moving out of that building because it was not up to fire code, Apples and other youth members tried to move into a recently vacated Northern Store building. The Northwest Company offered them a five-year lease for $5. Apples said the community government gave them the runaround with fire codes and inspections on the building.

Yeo sees it a bit differently. He said the community government had a contractor inspect the 40-year-old building for the youth. The contractor discovered hazardous mold and estimated the cost of cleaning it up at $100,000. Yeo said the youth would be sinking a lot of money into a building they would only own for a few years.

"Our message to them was, you've got a new facility coming, so why fix up a 40-year-old building?" he said.

After the store plan fell through, the community government offered the youth room in the Behchoko Friendship Centre. The community government has also provided staff to ensure that the center is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Apples has been volunteering at the friendship centre. While he admits it is a start he said there are many youth who do not feel comfortable coming to the friendship centre.

He said that is why it is so important for the youth to take control of their own building.

"To me they should be really glad that there are a bunch of youth who want to take on the responsibility to do something like this," said Apples.

Apples' latest plan is to purchase five trailers from a company in Fort McMurray, Alta, and transport them up to Behchoko.

Yeo said he is still willing to sit down and talk with Apples about his vision for the youth.