Jennifer Geens
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 21/05) - Susan Aglukark will visit Yellowknife at the end of the month, but she's not bringing her band.

Aglukark is the keynote speaker at a youth conference organized by the city's branch of the John Howard Society.

After the public lunch with Aglukark at the Multiplex on Sept. 30, youth 13 to 18 can choose from a series of sessions on topics like substance abuse and healthy living. At the end of the day, the organizers will turn things over to the young people to hear what they have to say about programs and services.

"Do we need to have a youth coalition so they can respond to reports of youth troubles in our streets and malls or what kind of projects do they need?" said Lydia Bardak of the John Howard Society.

Lots of possibilities

"We're going to be sharing lots of possibilities with them, and then we'll try to find a way to help them choose their destiny."

The John Howard Society is coordinating the event with SideDoor youth centre, Tree of Peace, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the RCMP and the Salvation Army.

Rapper Aaron Godson Hernandez, honorary chair of the conference, said he got involved with the project because kids need somebody they can relate to.

He and Paul Andrew will emcee the lunch.

Before the lunch, people who work with youth, such as teachers, probation officers, Salvation Army workers, and child welfare officers will gather for workshops.

The morning sessions will help workers see what holes exist in services, and where partnerships can form, said Bardak.

Bardak said the society has also invited schools from the nearby communities to participate, but doesn't have funding to assist with transportation.