Inuvik (July 06/01) - Ribbons were tied to trees and tobacco thrown into the fire amid pleas for young people to find their balance.

A site-blessing ceremony was held June 27 for the future female young offender facility.

Edward Lennie starts the ceremonial fire.

While those assembled looked on, elder Edward Lennie started the ceremonial fire. Then Sharon Caudron, spiritual adviser for the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre in Hay River, went east, south, west and north.

Accompanied by elders Sarah McLeod, Madeline Smith, Emma Dick and Elizabeth Firth, Caudron performed brief ceremonies in each direction. Then all five gathered together and tossed tobacco into the fire.

Amid the crackle of the fire and under bright sunny skies, Caudron said a prayer in which she asked for help for those young people suffering spiritual and emotional problems.

Several officials spoke during the blessing. Nunakput MLA Vince Steen called it an historic occasion.

"This facility is the first of its kind in Canada. While other facilities for female young offenders exist, they all house male youths as well," Steen said.

"The youth will be able to access programs that will assist them in addressing issues relevant to young women growing up in the North. Aboriginal and cultural values will form the core of these programs."

Gerald Sutton, acting deputy minister of justice, echoed Steen's comments about the fact the facility will be culturally sensitive and unique.

"It's been a long time coming, actually," Sutton said.

Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland said he's proud to have been involved with this project since its beginning in 1997.

It's important, Roland said, "to have our children dealt with by our own people."

After the ceremony, facility manager Sharon Gairdner said work on the site is on schedule.

The female young offender facility is to be complete by April 1, 2002. It will be about 900 square metres, housing up to 14 residents.