So’ co’ nye’ dagilyegh is a peer recovery group that Sk’ai Zeh Yah Youth Centre hosts. The group supports youth ages 19 to 29 who are in recovery from various challenges, such as addiction, mental health issues, experiencing homelessness, being disconnected from culture and community, . The primary goal of the recovery group is to provide a supportive and understanding network that is culturally enriched with Elder and Mentor support where youth can share their experiences, ask questions, find ways to cope with life’s struggles, receive encouragement, and learn from each other.  

Abstinence is not the only primary objective of the peer recovery group – support and safety are. The program's goal is to not only introduce clients to recovery in hopes of connecting them to a larger recovery community, but also create support systems to keep them safe outside of Sk’ai Zeh Yah.  

Our facilitators understand that recovery is not one size fits all. Meeting youth where they are encourages them to set smaller, achievable goals rather than always focusing on complete abstinence which could contribute to feelings of stigma and shame.  

The group process is structured similarly to AA/NA, and Wellbriety. It includes a warm-up activity, followed by a one-hour sharing circle, Dinner, and a round of gratitude lists to end the group. Milestones being celebrated for anything the individual feels proud of that day. “We celebrate every step in the right direction no matter how minute it may seem. A client deciding to move  from toxic street drugs to safe supply is a huge milestone. We acknowledge days, weeks, months, and years of sobriety. could be any accomplishment in their personalized recovery journey,” shares CSFS (Carrier Sekani Family Services) Intensive Youth Social Worker Krista Soles.  

Since this group started, many members have attended community meetings with staff support, have gone back to their communities, went to detox and treatment, gotten on OAT or safe supply, reconnected with culture, are currently abstinent from substances, and have developed a new extended family in that group.