SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Members representing NWT youth centres and friendship centres agreed to work toward an NWT coalition of youth and friendship centres during their annual conference in Yellowknife May 16 to 20.

Zahlaani Drygeese, 14, from Kaw Tay Whee Community School in Dettah, represented her school at the NWT Youth Centres Conference in Yellowknife from May 16 to May 20. A major topic of discussion during the conference was to start a coalition so the territory's youth centres can speak with one voice. - Kevin Allerston/NNSL photo

Every region of the territory was represented during the conference. Aaron McNab, the executive director of the Deh Cho Friendship Centre in Fort Simpson, made the trip to Yellowknife to attend the event.

"They talked about (a coalition) before in past years, but this year I was made aware that they were wanting to develop the coalition, so I thought it would be good to come," said McNab. "I'm really happy that we are finally doing this."

Zhalaani Drygeese, 14, who attends Kaw Tay Whee Community School in Dettah, also attended the conference.

"I'm here representing students from Dettah where I am on the youth council. I think it's a really good idea to help them share ideas and help youth," said Drygeese.

The NWT's youth and friendship centres provide programing that assists at-risk youth develop life skills as well as offering a safe environment for young people to hang out.

Dale Pearson, project co-ordinator for Youth Centre Canada, was also on hand for the conference.

"Three years ago (Youth Centres Canada) came up to Yellowknife to bring youth centres together for the NWT," said Pearson. "There's 33 youth centres and they had never met each other. Now, this year, what we've done is signed a resolution to create a coalition of youth centres so they can work together, collaborate and benefit from each other's knowledge, programs and share information ... that was the main priority this year."

Pearson said it is important for the youth centres to work together and speak with a united voice in order to best support youth in the territory.

"I think it's like anything in life that you do. If you stand alone and you have to start from scratch, your progress may be slower. But if you have friends or family or neighbours to call on, so 'hey, I noticed you mowing your lawn the other day, and you did it this way. Why does it work better?' and so you share information, you share resources, you inspire each other," he said.

Garry Hubert, who operates the SideDoor Youth Centre in Yellowknife and organized the conference, agreed that it is important for the NWT's youth centres to speak with a united voice.

"We've been talking about it for three years and finally the motion is passed that we will have a NWT youth coalition," said Hubert. "Having one strong voice will help us to lobby government for funding and program development."

Hubert said the next step toward forming the coalition is to bring the resolution back to the youth centre boards and then to lobby the government for extra funding for the coalition's development. He said he expects the work to form the coalition to be complete within "weeks."

"We're always happy to give support, especially when it helps youth. Any way we can help (youth centres) get information on funding and program options, we will do. So we definitely promote initiatives like this every chance we get," said Alfred Moses, youth/volunteer officer for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. "We had great numbers and some really good material. Youth Centres Canada provided us with a lot of good information and tips on how to improve our youth centres," said Moses.

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