Engaging young boys goal of anti-gang programs in south

Two southern Alberta First Nations are using provincial government money gleaned from the Civil Forfeiture Fund to fight gang activity.

The Stoney Nation received $135,000 for its Youth Engagement Strategy in Morley and its satellite community of Eden Valley, while the Kainai Family Early Intervention program at Standoff also received $138,000 for it Eagle Eyes Program.

“Gangs are not as bad as some other reserves, such as Hobbema,” said Bearspaw CEO Rob Shotclose.

While there are some visible signs of possible gang activity at Morley such as graffiti, Shotclose says they want to “nip it in the bud.”

The Youth Engagement Strategy project is twofold, comprised of a primary and a secondary intervention strategy. The primary aspect will provide weekly activities for children and families, and communicate the risks associated with gang involvement.

“The main goal of the program,” said Shotclose, “is to get the youth into a positive experience, to do positive things together.”
The secondary aspect is directed at youth 14-19 years of age. These are kids who are not attending school and recommended for the program by Stoney Education Authority, Stoney and Tsuu T’ina Corrections Society or those who choose to participate themselves. The aim is to get the youth to return to school full-time.

“There is a need for kids who don’t have opportunities or need opportunities, programs to steer them in the right direction,” said Shotclose.

They will spend two hours daily for 12 months learning lifestyle choices, essential literacy skills, cultural teachings, and life skills related to addictions. Participants will spend another two hours per day designing and leading activities oriented to children, youth and families.          

Geraldine Dan, who received funding for the Eagle Eyes Program in Standoff, says gang activity on the Blood reserve is much more visible.

“When you drive through Standoff, you see the writing on the wall, the boundaries that are being drawn between the East Side Cripps and the West Side Bloods,” she pointed out.

The Eagle Eyes Program is designed for boys six to 14 years old who attend two evening sessions per week for 10 months. By providing transportation to and from the sessions they are also reaching out to the more remote communities such as Moses Lake, Levern and Old Agency.

“Many of the boys in the community are at a vulnerable age and are easily recruited,” said Dan, who has been coordinating the Kainai Family Early Intervention Program for 14 years. Over time, she has seen an increase in violence, gangs and delinquency.

“There is a huge need, a cry for help,” said Dan.

Like Bearspaw’s YES program, the Eagle Eyes program intervenes, helping the young boys to refocus through positive outreach activities. The program employs two facilitators, one with a spiritual dimension and the other leading activities such as art, floor hockey, baseball, swimming and canoeing in the summer.

Dan lists a host of barriers that the ever-growing young population needs to overcome. She believes more intervention in the community is needed. She cites lower income, single parent families, health issues and lack of parental supervision as barriers.

“We need to look more at parenting, especially young parents, where there may be some possible addiction, not just alcohol or substance, but gambling,” she said. “Parents are most important. Everything happens at home.”

The province’s civil forfeiture program employs the courts to seize property used in committing crime or property acquired through money earned illegally. The implementation of the gang reduction strategy marks the fifth anniversary of a broader initiative in crime prevention, Alberta’s Safe Communities. The Alberta government recently provided $1million in grants to support projects in eight communities across the province to prevent and reduce gang initiatives.