Jordan Kwandibens wants to be a carpenter, but he might have a future as an actor.
The Grade 11 student from St. Patrick High School was one of the stars of The Welcome Path, a video from the Thunder Bay Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force that aims to help students coming from Northern communities adjust to life in the city.
Originally from Whitesand First Nation said it can be tough for students coming into Thunder Bay.
"It's scary you don't know where to go and you don't know anybody," He said Tuesday morning during the video's launch at the Indian Friendship Centre.
The video highlights services, landmarks and everyday activities like how to take city transit. That can help relieve some of the anxiety students might have.
"Just making them much more comfortable with Thunder Bay and their experience here," youth worker Anthony Shapwaykeesic said.
It will also hopefully keep the students in the city so that they graduate. Without support some turn to drugs and alcohol or leave Thunder Bay and return home instead of finishing school.
"In order to ease the pain of being alone and so far from home," Shapwaykeesic said.
The initiative will also hopefully help alleviate some fear and anxiety that can lead to suicide, something that's seven times higher among First Nations youth.
