Art as Knowledge Mobilization: Amplifying Youth Voices to Inform Harm Reduction Practices for Preventing Youth Homelessness

This project used the arts to engage precariously housed young Indigenous people in Winnipeg in conversations about their lived experiences, the barriers they face, and the supports that help them access services. By centering youth creativity and voice, the project sought to illuminate the root causes of homelessness and the role of harm reduction practices in prevention.

In the summer of 2024, the research team held six weekly arts-based workshops with youth participants. Facilitators introduced creative practices such as painting and zine-making, while group discussions addressed issues including homelessness, colonization, substance use, poverty, and racism. These conversations were recorded and transcribed to inform the analysis.

The project also produced several concrete outputs. Youth created an art zine that was distributed to service providers and professionals, and their work was showcased in a community exhibit. In addition, the research team shared the findings through conference presentations and is preparing a manuscript for publication.

Service providers can adopt arts-based and harm reduction approaches to create more inclusive, youth-driven engagement.

Policymakers and funders can invest in knowledge mobilization tools—such as zines and exhibits—that reflect lived experience alongside data.

Community organizations can build capacity by involving youth with lived experience as leaders and co-researchers.