Concern over the future of youth on the Six Nations reserve brought together members of the health, education and correctional sectors yesterday.
The meeting was the second one this month, prompted by the recent spike in youth suicides on the reserve.
Seven young people killed themselves in the past year. All were between the ages of 16 and 20, including two teen boys who died in the spring.
The spike in youth suicides has been a catalyst for groups to come together to make change, including Chief Bill Montour who organized a forum July 8 that was attended by more than 50 youths.
The message was clear at both yesterday's meeting and previous ones -- youth must be involved in the setting up of any new programs or services.
"We can plan all we want, but they're not going to work if it's not designed by them," said Marjorie Henhawk, who works with native youth.
Yesterday, members of the Six Nations Youth Roundtable heard from representatives from Ingersoll who talked about their youth recreation centre, which offers sports programs, a skateboard park and cooking classes.
Bill Mates, director of economic development for Ingersoll, said, since the Fusion Youth Centre opened, the youth crime rate and youth visits to emergency departments have declined dramatically.
Mates told the group the secret to their success was: "We made sure we included the (youth) in everything we do throughout the year."
The centre now employs 15 full-time and part-time staff and has opened a music recording studio.
Kris Johnson, who chaired yesterday's meeting, said they're interested in the program because the communities of Ingersoll and Six Nations are similar in size and population and face similar problems, including substance abuse.
"I think it's completely doable. It's just a matter of developing the right partnerships," said Johnson.
The reserve closed its only drop-in centre last spring. However, a new one recently opened.
Lisa Loft-Hill, a child and youth worker at Health Promotions Youth Drop-in Centre, said after-school programs as well as sports and recreation programs do exist.
"It's a matter of getting the information out in the community that they're there," said Loft-Hill, after the meeting.
Only about six youth attended yesterday's meeting, a disappointing turnout for some. Johnson suggested they schedule the next meeting in August at a later time to accommodate work schedules.
Sheriden Martin and Stevie Jonathan, both 16, said after the meeting more programs would be helpful for youth.
"If they have something to do with their time, they won't be going out with the wrong crowd and doing crime and drugs," said Jonathan.