Encouraging a healthy and holistic lifestyle

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The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Northern Elders and Going M.I.L.E.S Launch
Youth World Cafes in Northwest Territories and Nunavut

DETTAH, NORTH WEST TERRITORIES AND PANGNIRTUNG, NUNAVUT

Jan. 11, 2010

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), in partnership with Northern Elders and Going M.I.L.E.S., today announced the launch of the Youth World Cafes.

The Cafes will be in Dettah, NWT from January 11-13 and Pangnirtung, Nunavut from January 18-20 and will bring together First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth and elders in a celebration of Indigenous knowledge. The Cafes will also include workshops that provide tools to encourage a healthy and holistic lifestyle, develop self confidence and positive self-esteem among youth, and help strengthen family ties - protective factors which can assist in the prevention of substance abuse among youth.

Going M.I.L.E.S. (Motivate, Inspire, Lead, Empower, Succeed) is a program founded by Canadian actor Dakota House and jointly operated with Hypnotist Scott Ward. The program's focus is on motivating, inspiring, and empowering Indigenous youth to be proud of their ancestry, culture and language, and to achieve their full potential.

Dakota House is known for his role as Trevor TeeVee Tenia on the CBC television series 'North of 60' and founded Going M.I.L.E.S. to give back to Canada's Indigenous youth and their communities.

"With Aboriginal people being the fastest growing demographic at over three-and-a-half times any other ethnic group in Canada, it is imperative to give a positive outlet to our youth, giving our future leaders the opportunity to tap into their natural talents and abilities. The Going Miles leadership initiative program assists youth in going that extra mile to ensure a successful future," said Dakota House.

Indigenous Elders are central figures in the Youth World Cafes. Steeped in Indigenous language, ceremonies, and traditional knowledge of medicines and healing practices, they are uniquely positioned to help youth reconnect with their Indigenous culture and to help foster stronger family and community ties.

In 2008, CCSA formed an Elders Advisory Council (EAC) comprised of 10 Elders from across Canada, including Inuit regions such as Nunavut and Nunatsiavut, Northern provinces and the Northwest Territories. Members of EAC were instrumental in organizing this year's Youth World Cafes.

"I am deeply saddened by the destruction of my dene culture and language and the ever-widening gulf between my generation and those of the youth. Yes, some of my people do assimilate and are absorbed by mainstream society," said Allen Jacob, Elder and member of the Elders Advisory Council of CCSA. "However, have you noticed the statistics? They tell a deadly story ... and are not getting better. The consequences are dire not only to my community but to mainstream society as well. The answer lies not in the destruction of my culture but in helping me to reconnect with my grandchildren and renewing my culture and language."

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse has focused on northern Canada since 2005, including adding the North to the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs, which guides CCSA's efforts to mobilize national efforts to reduce the harms of substance abuse.

CCSA partnered with Going M.I.L.E.S. to further extend its work with the North and to launch community-level initiatives focused on helping youth find their indigenous pride, self-esteem and resilience through traditional knowledge exchange.

"CCSA is proud to be a part of making the Youth World Cafes possible and honored by the welcoming reception northern communities have shown us and Going M.I.L.E.S.," said Rita Notarandrea, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, CCSA. "CCSA recognizes that all Canadians have a role to play in the Truth and Reconciliation process and that Indigenous forums such as the Youth World Cafes, partnerships with Indigenous Elders and programs like Going M.I.L.E.S. are essential steps towards creating meaningful and lasting communication between generations and cultures."

In addition to the Youth World Cafes, CCSA will also be holding two special focus groups with Aboriginal youth. The focus groups will provide CCSA with the opportunity to hear from Indigenous youth on the issue of substance abuse in northern communities and among the youth population. Their insights and experiences will inform A Drug Prevention Strategy for Canada's Youth - CCSA's national drug prevention initiative aimed at reducing illicit drug use by Canadian youth between the ages of 10 to 24.

To watch a video about the World Cafes initiative please visit:
www.goingmiles.com

To learn more about CCSA's work in the North and its Elders Advisory Council please visit: http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/Priorities/North

About CCSA:

With a legislated mandate to reduce alcohol- and other drug-related harms, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse provides leadership on national priorities, fosters knowledge-translation within the field, and creates sustainable partnerships that maximize collective efforts. CCSA receives funding support from Health Canada.