The Department of Health and Social Development provides support for programs and initiatives aimed at supporting Labrador Inuit youth to become more involved in their communities, acquire leadership skills, and improve their quality of life including:

Support from the department for the Rising Youth Council (RYC). The RYC is a regional youth group with members from Nunatsiavut communities and the Upper Lake Melville Region. The RYC carries out a number of initiatives including an Annual Youth Symposium, Celebrate Life programs, and leadership training.

Annual spring and summer Language and Culture Camps where Labrador Inuit youth selected from all communities live and work in a traditional camp alongside elders, language instructors, supervisors, and guides. The youth participate in Inuttitut lessons, Inuit games, throat singing, sewing, traditional cooking, and hunting.

There are regular youth and elder gatherings that give generations the opportunity to share their perspectives on a variety of topics including language and culture to suicide prevention. The department also supports beneficiary participation in the National Youth and Elder Summit and other national initiatives of the National Inuit Youth Council.
To learn more about Youth Initiatives, please contact:

Youth Program Services Coordinator

Cassie Jararuse
Department of Health and Social Development
1-709-923-2365, ext. 235
[email protected]

Other Links of Interest

National Inuit Youth Council

The National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC) was established by the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, now known as Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) in 1993 to provide guidance and input into issues of interest for Inuit youth in Canada. Each NIYC representative is tasked with voicing the concerns and ideas of Inuit youth from their respective regions, with the elected President serving as the National voice of Inuit youth.

Inuit Circumpolar Council

Founded in 1977, the ICC is a major international non-government organization representing approximately 150,000 Inuit of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia). The organization holds Consultative Status II at the United Nations.

Arctic Children and Youth Foundation

As a charitable foundation, the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation’s primary objective is to champion activities that will improve lives and provide greater opportunities for the children and youth throughout Arctic Canada.

Alianait Arts Festival

The Alianait Arts Festival has been presenting music, film, storytelling, circus, arts, dance, theatre, and visual arts for over a decade now. Hosted in Iqaluit, Nunavut, the festival runs during the summer with additional events held throughout the year.

Embrace Life Council

The Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit Embrace Life Council (IIK) was established in January 2004 as a result of partnership efforts between the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tungavik Incorporated, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and many others. Efforts to create the Council began in 2003 with the recognition that there needed to be a coordinated initiative in addressing the high suicide rates in Nunavut.

World Suicide Prevention Day

For World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, Mandy Arnold, Youth Outreach Worker with the Department of Health and Social Development (DHSD) in Nain put together a short video showcasing the strength and resilience of some of our community members in Nain. Mandy was a part of the DHSD organizing committee for some of the local events put together for this day. The theme was “I am strong because …” and the video is about a 6 minute compilation of short statements from a variety of individuals from the community.