BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO - For Anita Daniels it's all about helping her people and the communities in the Tlicho region.

As a member of the Community Action Research Team (CART), Daniels is part of a four-person working group that listens to what youths have to say about important social issues affecting them, from suicide to sexually-transmitted infections, and turns that information into social programming for the regions.

"We were trying to find out how much they know about STIs because of the higher rates in the Tlicho region," Daniels said of CART's first project after the team was established in May 2009.

Daniels said the team conducts its research through focus groups and surveys. The team collected information from 1,600 youth for their STI research. Daniels said they focused on youth because the STI rate in the Tlicho affects youth the most and educating them on the issue is important.

"We want the youth to have better programs" on sexuality, said Daniels. "If we develop a program on sexual health and it doesn't relate to them, then it won't work."

Their research found youth had trouble finding contraceptives, such as condoms, in their communities. Daniels said while the team promotes abstinence first, she said it focuses on providing youth with as much information as possible to make a healthy choice if they choose to have sex.

"It takes the stress off the youth by not having to go into the health centre to get condoms," team member Cody Mantla said.

The group has been putting out baskets of condoms since August at places in the communities, like bathrooms and community centres, so youth can have access without feeling uncomfortable.

Since August last year, the team has distributed 18,000 condoms, as well as more than 2,000 Health Education Action Tip kits. The kits include condoms, lubricant and a booklet on sexually-transmitted diseases.

"A lot of the information is overwhelming, so we try to simplify it," Mantla said.

Daniels added the team is planning on following up on its current projects to find out how successful they have been, and plans to include door-to-door sessions.

Along with STI education, the team is working on a video project on bullying and teasing, which Daniels referred to as "lateral violence."

"We just want to take certain issues that come up and try to make things culturally relevant," she said.