The Department of Justice and Correctional Services has developed various youth mentorship programs in the past. These types of programs are established on two main premises: that redemption is possible, and that at risk youth are sometimes better reached through non-traditional, skilled trades activities, instead of typical community-based interventions.

One example of this was the 2009-2010 Oujé-Bougoumou program. With this program, youth had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild a custom motorcycle chopper.

While having fun, youth learned marketable skills, earned the satisfaction that comes with completing a major project.

For this program, the Department of Justice and Correctional Services partnered with the CNG Cree Human Resources Development (CHRD), the Cree First Nation of Oujé-Bougoumou and the Titan Motorcycle Company of America.

With the generous assistance of the Oujé-Bougoumou Healing Committee, the Oujé-Bougoumou Police Service and other community supporters, the program attracted the participation of over 20 youth and was credited with the reduction in youth tension and violence in the community as well as the elimination of an emerging youth gang situation. 

This program significantly shows the importance of partnerships. The DOJCS now have youth engagement and crime prevention fund initiatives to generate more partnerships and innovative ideas for projects to engage and mentor youth.

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