Lheidli T’enneh First Nation to spearhead consultation process in proposed regional centre for children and youth

PRINCE GEORGE—Premier David Eby visited UNBC today to announce the beginning of a partnership between northern B.C. communities to help design and plan programs and services for a proposed regional centre to help children and youth thrive.

“Young people in Northern B.C. in a mental-health or addiction crisis should be able to get care that meets their needs close to home. This is especially important for young Indigenous people in the North who need to access culturally appropriate services and supports,” said Premier David Eby. “When youth are in crisis, if they are not connected to the care that is right for them, it can often mean that small problems turn into much bigger problems down the road as results. That’s why we’re pleased to move forward with this work to bring needed support to the heart of northern B.C. through a northern centre of excellence for children and youth.”

The consultation process will be led by the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation beginning in late spring 2024, with $675,385 of financial support from the Province. The engagement stems from a proposal by the First Nation that envisions a centre offering a multitude of services, such as mental-health and addictions services, neurocognitive assessments and other wellness programs for children and youth. Feedback from surrounding communities will help determine the types of programs and services that could be offered through the proposed centre.

“Today’s announcement is good news for our future generations, those kids who are struggling today and the kids who haven’t yet faced struggle, but may one day,” said Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “We need to ask ourselves: If we can find ways to help those kids before they fall between the cracks, how much better could our communities be? How much stronger and more resilient will our children be?”