Police launch moose hunt pilot program for Indigenous youth
A unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will soon get underway for Indigenous youth and youth in transition.
It's a pilot project spearheaded by the Greater Sudbury Police Service in conjunction with the province and various indigenous partner agencies.
The main goal is to offer those who otherwise would not have the chance to participate in a typical hunting experience, while at the same time, fostering positive relationships with police.
"There are going to be six participants, two from each agency partnered with one officer and one agency mentor so there will be three hunting groups, this will be in September over a weekend," said Const. Darrel Rivers, the Greater Sudbury Police Service Indigenous Liaison Officer.
Rivers said the goal is to create a safe space. They're also hoping to break down barriers.
"We're hoping from this program they'll gain a sense of self-confidence and some courage to move forward, given some of the situations that they are in," he said.
"By having someone who's in a position of authority from your police services, for sure you come in with a stigma attached," said Darrell Boissoneau, of Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services.
Work on stigmas
"This is to work on those stigmas and create greater awareness between the Anishinabek community and the police services that are out there."
Participating non-Indigenous officers will get a first-hand opportunity to learn about their culture.
Rivers said police also want to show these youth that police officers are normal people who have hobbies and lives outside of work.
"This is something that is so important - especially for those children that have struggled in life and have been moved away from their culture," said Perry McLeod-Shabogesic, of Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services.
"We have the same common goals as what we're trying to do -- even though we might be in different places, but we are striving for the same direction," said Jim Fox, of Kina Gbehzgomi Child and Family Services.
It's a direction that includes mutual respect, culture and inclusivity.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.