Backgrounder

Funding for Seeing Oneself Community Justice Initiative

The Government of Canada today announced over $220,000 in funding for the project Seeing Oneself Community Justice Initiative. The funding was provided through the Department of Justice’s Youth Justice Fund to the Strong Heart Teaching Lodge which will be working with youth in the Manitoba Youth Centre.  The project supports Canada’s Anti-Drug Strategy which focuses on: preventing illicit drug use in young people, treating people who have drug addictions and fighting illicit drug crime.

About the Youth Justice Fund – Youth Justice Anti-Drug Strategy

Under the Youth Justice Fund - Youth Justice Anti-Drug Strategy, Justice Canada funds treatment opportunities designed to assist youth already in the justice system with their rehabilitation, as well as to create connections with community-based programs and services that will help youth make smart choices and resist drug use. By supporting the rehabilitation and safe reintegration of young offenders back into their communities, the Government of Canada is working to maintain safe streets and safe neighbourhoods.

Starting in 2008/2009, the fund will provide just over $1.5 million each year to projects that will help youth in the justice system who are addicted to drugs.

About the Seeing Oneself Community Justice Initiative

Over the course of the project, the Seeing Oneself Community Justice Initiative will support 60 youth in the Manitoba Youth Centre, who have drug and gang involvement, through a justice system-based therapeutic intervention program. The initiative includes the development, implementation and evaluation of tailored illicit drug treatment for Aboriginal youth. The treatment will offer a culturally relevant, evidence-based, multifaceted skill building program to target illicit drug use and the related problem of gang involvement. Correctional staff will be trained to co-facilitate the program.

The initiative will enhance the safety, health and well-being for Aboriginal youth by empowering them to be proud of their heritage, to find balance within themselves and be proud of the ways of their life.

About the Strong Heart Teaching Lodge

The Strong Heart Teaching Lodge is geared towards fostering healing and growth of Aboriginal youth and their communities in self-determination which supports positive choices through the sharing of traditional knowledge and professional learning opportunities. The Lodge also provides opportunities for youth to experience transferable life skills training using holistic Aboriginal world-view teachings toward life skills development.

About the National Anti-Drug Strategy

The National Anti-Drug Strategy is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Justice, Public Safety Canada and Health Canada, and includes three action plans: preventing illicit drug use; treating those with illicit drug dependencies; and combating the production and distribution of illicit drugs.

For more information on the National Anti-Drug Strategy, please visit: www.nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca

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Government of Canada
May 2008