In March, OJEN will conclude its second year of the four-year PLEI for Racialized Youth program, funded by the Department of Justice Canada’s (DOJ) Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP). The program provides culturally relevant public legal education for racialized youth in Ontario, focusing on the legal needs of youth who identify as African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) or Indigenous.
The first phase of the program began in 2022, with a comprehensive legal needs assessment. OJEN staff, including Youth Leadership Team members hired for the program, held focus groups and surveyed youth in urban areas across the province. While listening to the youth discuss their experiences with legal issues, several common themes emerged. Modules were then designed around these themes, including human rights and discrimination, policing and safety, financial issues and housing, and tailored to specific youth audiences.
The program was piloted with 5 groups of youth in 2023. The final program of the year was held with a group of youth from the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families in Ottawa. It will be delivered to 4 more groups of racialized youth before the DOJ’s fiscal year ends at the end of March.
Co-creating the Inuuqatigiit program with local youth
OJEN staff worked closely with 3 local Youth Project Officers (YPO) from Inuuqatagiit to tailor the program for the group. All 3 YPOs had taken part in the initial needs assessment focus group in March and were very interested in working in their community. Their input was key to the success of the program.
OJEN’s Program Developer, Natasha Jaczek, who works on the PLEI for Racialized Youth program, commented on the importance of their contribution to the program design. “From the beginning they were open and engaged. They were very interested in helping the community and the other youth. They were happy to welcome us into their space and learn as well as teach. They came up with ideas that we never would have – ever.”
With their knowledge of their community and culture, the YPOs were an integral part in co-creating a program that was accessible, meaningful and fun for the Inuuqatagiit participants.
Beginning in July, staff and local YPOs met monthly to consult on every aspect of the program, including what areas of the law to cover, how to include Inuit culture, which guest speakers to invite and how to structure individual sessions. OJEN staff took their suggestions and incorporated them into the program design. Natasha stressed that the trust built during the process of developing the Inuuqatagiit program throughout the summer was the basis for the program’s success.
Llama, one of the YPOs, commented afterward, “You guys pretty much did everything we suggested, which was pretty amazing because a lot of organizations tend to not do that.”
A shared learning experience
Between 14 and 20 youth attended the Inuuqatagiit program. It consisted of 6 workshops on topics including legal life skills, human rights, income support, consumer debt and housing law. Modules followed a fictional character through a series of legal problems. By exploring the scenarios, participants learned where legal help is available if they need it in the future and how they could navigate similar difficulties.
The program also incorporated Elder-led teachings. Elders shared their experience with the eight Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, Inuit societal values that guide all aspects of social living. They also gave youth information on the supports and resources that existed within their community. One of the highlights of the program was a workshop on ulu sharpening facilitated by Elder David from the community.
“There was a real sense of collective teaching and learning on both sides”, Natasha recalled.
The program culminated in a sharing circle, where youth met with legal professionals, project facilitators, Elders, and key stakeholders to share their perspectives and offer their recommendations for greater access to justice. Youth participants were also encouraged to reflect on and share feedback about their experience in the program.
Finding joy in justice education
When asked about what youth gained from participating in the program, Ida, one of the YPOs said, “I think they got the joy of knowing their rights and knowing about supports with the justice system.” She added that it is helpful for youth to have information about where to go for help if they ever had trouble with housing or financial problems.
Matt Hall, an Inuuqatigiit Youth Justice Liaison Worker agreed. “The program was empowering to the [Youth Project Officers] and the attendees. For the [YPO], it sort of speaks for itself, the whole concept is about empowerment. For the youth attendees, they gained more knowledge about their rights and the justice system. More knowledge is always empowering.”
OJEN plans to return to the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families for another session in 2024. Before it wraps up in 2026, this PLEI initiative will engage 270 to 360 youth between the ages of 14 to 29 in urban communities throughout the province.