Welcome to IYS
Empowering Indigenous Peoples
Supporting the advancement of youth, families, and communities across the nation.
Who we are
Restoring Care. Strengthening Families. Supporting Indigenous Youth to Thrive.
Indigenous Youth Services was created to confront a reality that cannot be ignored: systems intended to protect Indigenous youth have too often perpetuated harm instead of preventing it. Families are separated, identities are fractured, and care becomes centered on control and containment rather than healing, understanding, and growth.
Today, more Indigenous youth are living in systems of care than at the peak of the Residential School era. While the structures have changed, the outcome remains deeply familiar: separation from family, disruption of identity, and long-term harm that echoes across generations.
We exist to change that trajectory.
Indigenous Youth Services delivers culturally grounded, trauma-informed support that prioritizes family preservation, community connection, and long-term wellbeing. Our work moves beyond crisis response and compliance-driven models, focusing instead on stability, understanding, and sustainable change for Indigenous youth and the people who support them.
Empowering Indigenous Communitiites
Our Mission
Indigenous Youth Services exists to transform how care is delivered to Indigenous youth and families. At a time when more Indigenous youth are living in systems of care than at the peak of the Residential School era, we work to reverse cycles of separation, disconnection, and harm by bringing care back to its rightful foundation: family, community, and understanding. Our approach moves beyond crisis response and compliance-driven systems, focusing instead on culturally grounded, trauma-informed support that strengthens families, preserves identity, and builds long-term stability.
Operating at the forefront of care innovation, Indigenous Youth Services expands access to meaningful support through models such as CareLink, allowing us to reach youth and families in even the most remote and underserved communities and bring care into places it has never reliably existed. By reducing geographic and systemic barriers, we help keep families together while ensuring youth receive consistent, responsive support. Through initiatives such as Return Home, we address critical gaps within traditional systems by delivering individualized, in-person support directly to youth in group care settings, ensuring care begins where youth are rather than waiting for crisis or transition.
Grounded in relational, preventative, and culturally respectful principles, Indigenous Youth Services restores humanity to systems of care and creates pathways for Indigenous youth to heal, grow, and thrive within their families and communities.
Our Services
Virtual Care
In-Care Support
In-Care Support
CareLink is our innovative virtual care model designed to eliminate geographic, systemic, and placement-based barriers to support.
In-Care Support
In-Care Support
In-Care Support
Through this initiative, Indigenous Youth Services brings individualized, in-person support directly to youth within group care environments.
In-Home Support
In-Care Support
Training Programs
The Strong Home Project's mission is to prevent unnecessary apprehension or relocation by bringing individualized, holistic supports directly into the family home.
Training Programs
Cultural Connections
Training Programs
Indigenous Youth Services offers specialized training programs designed to equip caregivers, professionals, and organizations with the knowledge and practical tools needed to support Indigenous youth effectively.
Cultural Connections
Cultural Connections
Cultural Connections
Our Cultural Mentorship program connects Indigenous youth with trusted mentors who share, honor, and celebrate cultural identity, heritage, and community.
Parenting Support
Cultural Connections
Cultural Connections
Through one-on-one virtual consultations, our team of Indigenous and allied professionals provides personalized guidance, cultural understanding, and practical support to help parents and caregivers identify their needs, locate appropriate resources, and access available funding.
Jordan James Pickell Mental Health Achievement Recognition Award
Indigenous Youth Services was named the recipient of the Jordan James Pickell Mental Health Achievement Recognition Award by the Mood Disorders Society of Canada.
This national recognition is awarded to organizations demonstrating meaningful contributions to mental health innovation, advocacy, and service delivery.
The award reflects Indigenous Youth Services’ leadership in advancing understanding-driven, relationship-centered approaches to supporting youth and families navigating complex mental health and child welfare systems.
Canadian Choice Award
Indigenous Youth Services also received the 2024 Canadian Choice Award, recognizing excellence in organizational leadership and service delivery within Canada.
This award reflects confidence in our integrity, professionalism, and commitment to individualized, ethical care.
Global Recognition Award
Indigenous Youth Services has been further acknowledged with a Global Recognition Award, recognizing the broader relevance of our care models and advocacy efforts beyond national boundaries.
This recognition highlights the applicability of our work to international discussions on trauma-informed care, behavioral understanding, and alternatives to institutional and containment-based systems.
Community Improvement Award
Indigenous Youth Services has been recognized with the Community Improvement Award for its transformative contributions to youth mental health, family preservation, and culturally grounded care.
This award honors organizations that move beyond traditional service delivery and generate meaningful, measurable change within complex systems.