Outreach workers and Mi’kmaw Elders will help young Aboriginal offenders get their lives back on track by strengthening their connections with their culture and community.

The province will offer the Bringing Culture Inside program at the Nova Scotia Youth Facility in Waterville over the next three years, in partnership with the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network (MLSN).

Justice Minister Ross Landry announced the new program on, Feb. 27, at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax.

“Reconnecting Aboriginal youth with their culture is extremely important,” said Mr. Landry. “Bringing Culture Inside will help offenders reconnect with their community, which in turn will make our communities safer and stronger.

“This project has the potential to positively impact every Aboriginal community in Nova Scotia.”

Outreach workers and Mi’kmaw Elders will go into the facility and work directly with Aboriginal offenders to explore and celebrate their culture. The youth will be exposed to various cultural elements such as sharing circles and one-on-one time with Elders.

Cultural programming will be designed and led by the MLSN, in consultation with staff from the facility.

“We are pleased to partner with the provincial and federal governments to offer this important program,” said Paula Marshall, executive director of MLSN. “In order to tackle root causes of crime, we need to engage our Aboriginal youth in new and ...

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