Inside and Outside

STR8 UP & CNYC Stories and Photos

Inside and Outside
CNYC and STR8 UP
Lead Artist Marcel Petit
Window Gallery Project
June, 2024
Reception June 21, 3pm

STR8 UP, CNYC and AKA came together to do a photo voice project on the writings of incarcerated STR8 UP members and photography of CNYC Youth. STR8 UP Members in institutions reflected on their challenges of being an active STR8 UP member while being incarcerated through their writing. CNYC and other youth then reflected on these writings and responded through photographic and written responses. The project has culminated in a Window Project at AKA displaying the photographs and words from all participants.

B.W - Dealing with addictions

I remind myself what I’m working towards and that by exerting power and giving into my addiction there’s people who I love and who love me that will get hurt from my actions. 

Wolfgang

From reading this paragraph I see this ideal of power, and these rocks represent a group/gang. Removing yourself from the top feels so unnatural after such a long time, and you often find yourself looking for that feeling in the people you love. Addictions come in many forms, overcoming them can be very rewarding and greatly improve your day-to-day life. I wish anyone dealing with or recovering from addiction the best of luck and support.

N.W – Being Honest 

I just take it one day at a time. Being honest with yourself is important.

Tenealle 

Being honest with yourself is the best way on building trust with others, walking down this road will lead you to something greater.

B.H - Be a Responsible Citizen 

I want to be able to enjoy my life with those who helped me find my way. These are my goals and I see myself at every finish line.

River Sage

This paragraph had me thinking about my journey and where my path took me. I was angry and so closed for the longest time because of what was in front of me. I came to CNYC, and everything changed, I talked more and smiled more. I saw that I had made a new path for myself.

M.D - Drop Colors/Associations

My story is not from the perspective from being stripped for some “code” violation or whatever because stripped, I was not.

Payton

I choose this photo because shows a form loyalty but loyalty in a perverse way. It also shows how messy loyalty can be.

G.L - Dealing with Addictions 

So, to me it means taking in some responsibility on my end. I’m a better person when I’m humble, healthy and sober. I’ve been on that other side, it breaks families apart, you hurt the ones you love so that’s what dealing with my addictions to me means

Matthew

Some people aren’t given the chance to choose what they use but they are given a chance to put it down.

IJ.P. - Dealing with Addictions 

However, I want something better in life, so I stay focused on my goals and with the values I learned through STR8 UP which helps me stay on track and sober. 

Kara

The path of recovery needs support & a friend to help you walk through it 

J.T - Dealing with addictions.

Feelings of boredom, hopelessness, and depression can easily set in because of outside issues and unfortunately drugs will be everywhere. 

Kam

The water represents how drugs, feelings of depression or hopelessness is all around you like the waves constantly trying to push you back into that darkness. The rock represents how everyone has something tainting their ability to see the most important thing, there not drowning, the other rocks or almost completely submerged in the water, and yet that rock is still dry. The other rocks also represent that people are not alone in what they’re going through, and you may not realize how close to drowning they are but that they are still fighting their own battles.

R.M  - Dealing with Addictions 

I tell myself I want to change for myself, I want something new. If I can stay sober in here (Saskpen) I have a better chance of staying sober out there. 

Grace 

The left resembles the parent and the struggles they’re going through (mental health, addictions, being alone, etc), and the right resembles their child and their struggles as well (school, mental health, addictions, being alone, etc). I see myself as the person on the right. I’m adopted and with that, I struggle with a lot of things (mental health, addictions, feeling alone, not knowing where I come from or who my parents are, etc). 

N.H - Drop Colors

I finally found the courage to tell myself “Its’ Okay” and “who cares what others think of me”, at the end of the day I know who I am and what I can become. There’s more to life than this.

Broden

When he dropped colours, it showed he didn’t really have friends in this gang in the first place. This photo shows a finger that before been severed but then reattached which like his life in the gang showed how severed he was from his family and from himself but then dropping his colours brought him back to himself. He got a second chance just like the finger. 

T.B – 4 Years
A switch came on inside; the Indigenous way of life flooded my heart. When that happened, when I started listening to creator that voice inside me telling me to do good got louder and it takes courage to act on those thoughts and it is worth it.

Ace

I grow up with the teaching, so it really hit me. I understand how they helped and why they were important of it in life. The beauty in the world that seems gray, that it's not as dale as human have made it.

Marcel Petit is a Multidisciplinary Métis Artist from Saskatoon, SK. Canada. He has several film/video works to his name, from short dramas to feature documentaries, and his photography has been featured in multiple publications.


CNYC(Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op) is an essential skill building and alternative education program for all youth in Saskatoon. The Community Youth Program which runs full time out of CNYC in partnership with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools where youth can earn academic credits. Through our partnership with BGC Saskatoon, youth can also learn life, art, cultural teachings in a compassionate and supportive environment. We work with youth between the ages of 16 and 19.
CNYC promotes the values of community, cooperation, sustainability, culture, gratitude, accountability and leadership in an empowering and respectful atmosphere.

STR8 UP is all about addicted gang members transforming painful relationships with Self, Others, Environment and Sacred Mystery to healthy ones, based on Spiritual values of Honesty and Humility..STR8 UP accomplishes this by providing Outreach, Personal Development, Professional Development and Community Education and Awareness.

Stan Tu'Inukuafe is the co-founder of STR8 UP. He is married and the father of four beautiful girls.  Stan has been working with at-risk youth and those involved in the criminal justice system for over 20+ years.