Gang conference brings healthy attitude to inner city

Page 13

Hundreds of people attended the "Circling Winds: A Conference on Aboriginal Gang Issues" on Mar. 30 and 31. The conference, which was hosted by the WhiteStone Project, was sponsored by the Canadian Heritage Initiative. Delegates attended workshops located at the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, the basement at the Immaculate Conception Church and at the Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School at 96 St. and 108 Ave.

The White Stone Project is a 12-week course that is comprised of 10 Aboriginal students. The students had a chance to obtain their General Education Diplomas and also graduate from a computer course. The project's graduation ceremony was held right after the closing of the gang conference.

Facilitators at the conference were David Languedoc, from the Saugeen Reserve in Southampton, Ontario; Rocky Dumais, 27, from Lac La Biche, an ex-gang member; special guest speaker David C. Ward; and Jane Woodward, co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Education Centre, Grant MacEwan College.

Dozens of volunteers and staff of the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples kept the two-day conference going smoothly.

During his workshop, Rocky Dumais spoke on his past associations with alcohol, drugs and gang activity.

"Being part of a gang meant that you were protected but that was not always the case. A lot of time other gang members turned their backs on you," said Dumais. "A lot of the members today live in fear. They stay in their gangs because they do not believe that they can get out," he said.

John Kennedy, chairman of the WhiteStone Project, knows all too well what a gang lifestyle is all about. He shared a bit about where he came from and where he was going.

"I've lived a gang lifestyle for such a long time. When they speak about me now today, I cannot believe that it is me," said Kennedy. "It used to be like getting high but that is not the way I like getting high anymore. Today I thank God that He helped me; that is my high now," he said.

A round dance on Thursday was well attended. Many of the students from the project were a bit tired from all the preparations they had to do before the conference. However they were able to express the pride and the feeling they got from helping others.

"I just wanted to help, it was my chance to help someone get out," said Kennedy. "It is hard to get out of a gang. People that have been in gangs need support. I want them to know that there are people that care. I always say get out, stay out and help out. Get out of the gang lifestyle, stay out of the destructive lifestyle and help others out," he said.

Delegates listened to the haunting sounds of flute player Eagle Child. During lunch on Friday comedian Howie Miller entertained the crowd. Sherry Seeweepagaham closed the conference with a Four Directions song.

Two questionnaire forms were given at the conference-one for the adults and one for the youth. Delegates were asked to return them at the end of the two-day event. What are your views on youth violence? What suggestions do you have on how as a grassroots movement we can get parents, schools, police, and government agencies working together in a pro active manner? were some of the questions on the adult questionnaire, and Are gangs a problem in your school? What needs to be in place for you or the people you know that would keep you or them from getting involved with gangs? were some of the questions on the youth questionnaire.

On Friday evening a dinner and sober dance was held to honor all 10 students of the WhiteStone Project. Facilitators Marcel Pelletier, Shane Lefond and Diana Delorme each delivered speeches describing the students' journey. Each graduate received a plaque, a rose, a stone and a feather. A few were awarded for special achievements.

"I found the whole process in this course was for growth, on how to serve your community and how to put aside my ego," said James Waters, president. "It made me aware of what I could do. It's given me a sens of self-respect. I learned a lot about integrity and honesty," he said.

Shortly after the graduation ceremony the sober dance started. Most of the students on the dance floor beamed with pride that they'd done it.

"Success does not happen fast, it happens one bit at a time. There is an old Chinese proverb that says to move a mountain you have to do it one pebble at time," said Waters. "That is what we are doing, taking one small step at a time," he said.

Graduates from the White Stone Project include: James Waters, Chet Collins, Charlene Moostoos, Vanessa Gladue, Elmer Tokohopie, Leona Johnstone, Jennifer Tokohopie, John Kennedy, Renee Goodswimmer and Nadyne Plante.