A safe space to heal in the heart of North Central

The unassuming building in northwest Regina may not standout from the outside, but within the walls, something special is happening: youth are getting a fair chance at life.

“We have a place where youth feel they have a sense of belonging – a home. Where they can work on themselves, and implement life skills so they can live independently when they’re ready to move on,” said Delora Parisian, founder and former executive director of Eagle Heart Centre.

The new home Parisian and Eagle Heart Centre have opened is Joe and Irene’s Youth Home – a five-room home for Indigenous youth aged 12 to 18 who might suffer from mental health or addiction issues.

The home provides 24-hour supports for the youth, and as importantly, a place of stability and safety for young people who have been deprived of some of life’s basics.

“A lot of youth have been in foster care or a group home situation, and they have a history of some kind of addiction or running away, not being able to live a stable life. Or they come from an abusive background, or where addictions were in the family,” said Parisian. “So we’re giving them a home environment.”

The home, opened on February 20, is a partnership between Eagle Heart Centre and the provincial government, who are contributing $800,000 annually to fund the centre.

The young residents at the home have a fully-furnished bedroom, and several communal spaces like a living room, dining area, and a kitchen where they will help prepare and clean up from nightly meals. They are expected to do their own cleaning and laundry – something that youth sometimes bristle at, said Parisian.

“Teenagers and cleaning rooms haven’t always been a good match, but we do implement it,” she said. “We want them to feel supported, but also teach them to support themselves.”

The home is staffed 24 hours a day with compassionate people who have lived experience, said Parisian. The youth have access to programming through Eagle Heart Centre, or professional psychological help through the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to help them conquer challenges.

“Unfortunately, mental health or addictions is quite common (but) we empower them and give them the wisdom and knowledge they need to make healthy choices.” – Parisian

Before opening, the youth home had about 25 applicants, but ultimately only had space for five. They are consistently getting youth referrals for the centre.

The SHA works in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services to refer youth with chronic mental health or addiction issues to Eagle Heart Centre.

“We review the history of the youth. If its severe violence, then we can’t put them into the home. We have accepted youth that have exhibited that in the past, but they had no problem once they were taken out of their previous environment and given a home.”

The youth will stay in the home until they feel they’re ready to leave – usually when they’re 20 or 21, said Parisian.

The home dawns a name very dear to Parisian – Joe and Irene are not only Parisian’s parents, but the individuals responsible for inspiring Parisian’s work.

“They were both Métis, and taught us to be concerned for our people. They raised us to look after ourselves and contribute to society, to reach out to others. It’s something you don’t forget,” said Parisian.

“That’s something we try to instill in the youth. It’s not all about them. We have a community that we have to care for. They’ve been very open to that.”

Eagle Heart Centre provides extensive programming to youth and families looking for a variety of supports https://www.afscregina.ca