Sekewha Youth Program Department

Sekweha means “for the youth” in the Dene language. We are a community­-led initiative that started from some ideas and suggestions of youth and community members in 2009. Sekweha’s vision is for a healthy, safe and sustainable community that helps children and youth to gain the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to be successful in life and to make a positive contribution to their community.

We focus on programs and activities that make growing up in Janvier a healthy,
safe and positive experience for children and youth. The Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) is one of Sekweha’s highlighted programs that we offer. ELI is concept of Walking in Two Worlds through the integration of culture and curriculum. We work with Fr. Perin School, in running our monthly programming which includes land-based experiences, such as trapping and skinning, medicine walks, duck plucking, etc and weaving Alberta learner outcomes into lesson plans.

We work with the youth in ages ranging from 8 to 17 years old. We’re open 7 days a week and aim to be open 365 days a year, only closing the centre when gone on trips with youth or training for staff. The Sekweha staff includes a Community Coordinator and a Youth Team, made up of youth workers that are assisted by junior leaders (ages 14-17 and attending school). Volunteer Board of Directors from the community oversees Sekweha.