Join us in honouring voices of Indigenous youth.
In the spring, seventeen Indigenous youth from across the province spent a week at the First Directions retreat with the Yúusnewas team, Elder Val Nicholson, and partners at Reel Youth to create these incredible films highlighting the ways colonialism continues to impact Indigenous health. Yúusnewas is a program of YouthCO.
This year, the youth were able to choose topics connected to the impacts of colonization, and create and film their stories.
The First Directions retreat is a wonderful place to start discussions around HIV, challenge stigma, and implement YouthCO’s approach to Indigenous youth leadership. Indigenous youth are encouraged to take back their sexual health and knowledge of using substances through education and supportive resources. We hope these films awaken your spirit.
The First Directions retreat is a wonderful place to start discussions around HIV, challenge stigma, and implement YouthCO’s approach to Indigenous youth leadership. Indigenous youth are encouraged to take back their sexual health and knowledge of using substances through education and supportive resources. We hope these films awaken your spirit.
Yúusnewas is able to travel to First Nations communities to have conversations about sexual health and harm reduction, and challenge HIV and Hep C stigma, at no cost to communities.
These videos may touch on things viewers find difficult. If you need help, please reach out:
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society operates a 24 hour provincial crisis line for Indigenous people: toll Free Line (1.800.588.8717). Adults/Elders (250.723.4050), Children/Youth (250.723.2040).
Crisis Line for BC: Help is available! We are here to listen, here to help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Water Prayer”: taking care of ourselves in times of grief, healing
“Am I Next?”: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
“Live 4 Tomorrow”: the importance of community and checking on each other around suicide
Learn More
Yúusnewas: Yúusnewas is an Indigenous peer-led education program that provides workshops on HIV and sexual health in urban and rural communities across BC.
YouthCO: YouthCO’s mission is to reduce the impacts of HIV and hepatitis C stigma on youth in BC.