Ge-Da-Gi Binez Youth Centre, Fort Frances

The Ge-Da-Gi Binez Youth Centre is a secure custody facility that accommodates up to 12 Aboriginal youth ages 12 to 17 from northwestern Ontario, who are being detained or serving sentences.

This centre is the first secure custody facility for youth in Canada designed for Aboriginal young people in conflict with the law. The new facility provides Aboriginal youth with services in line with their culture, including spiritual, education and life skills programs.

Highlights:

• Separate areas for male and female youth
• 8 beds for males and 4 beds for females
• A ceremonial space to help young people to learn and practice Aboriginal traditions
• An Aboriginal focused educational program to help youth develop skills
• An architectural design that reflects Aboriginal themes
• Operated by Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services, the First Nations Tribal Council
• The Ontario Realty Corporation oversaw the construction