Over half of all Labrador Inuit beneficiaries are under the age of 25. They are the future of Nunatsiavut, the driving force, full of ambition and ideas. Many are interested in the future of Nunatsiavut and preserving Inuit culture. Unfortunately, many other youth are troubled. Too many resort to substance abuse and suicide.

The Nunatsiavut Government created this new division to focus on youth and recreation. Its role is to ensure that Inuit culture and traditions are used to reach youth, and to encourage them to contribute to the shaping of Nunatsiavut.

This division will assist Labrador Inuit youth to become more involved in their communities, acquire leadership skills, and improve their quality of life.

Support is provided to the Rising Youth Council, a regional youth group with representatives from the Inuit communities and the Upper Lake Melville Region. Its President is elected every two years by youth in attendance at an Annual Youth Symposium.

Spring and summer Language and Culture Camps engage Inuit youth selected from all communities. They live and work in a traditional Inuit setting with a team of language instructors, elders, supervisors and guides. While at camp, youth participate in language lessons, Inuit games, throat singing, sewing, traditional cooking and hunting.

Elder and youth gatherings have been successful. While at these gatherings, elders and youth discuss a variety of topics, including suicide prevention, relocation, climate change, language and culture, and parenting.

Youth have also been instrumental in the establishment of the Nunatsiavut Drummers, ensuring that these skills are re-established in the context of traditional Inuit gatherings and events.

The Nunatsiavut Government believes that empowering youth to address youth issues build the leadership skills that are necessary to ensure a bright future. Peer mediation workshops are run with junior high and high school students to help them develop conflict resolution skills.