In North Battleford Provincial Court last week a youth and two men charged in connection with a Sept. 20 shooting in the city were identified as members of the Terror Squad, an aboriginal gang.
"Gangs in the Battlefords are a reality and change begins by taking the first step," states the Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre in material promoting a two-hour workshop the organization is hosting Thursday, Nov. 28.
StR8 Up - 10,000 Little Steps To Healing is presented by former gang members and STR8 Up staff. It focuses on gangs, how to leave them, how to become responsible citizens and how to change the community, one step at a time.
BIMFS states the workshop will provide information on where individuals can go for support if affected by a gang or gang member.
Also addressed will be ways for the community to build resources to assist gang members who want to leave a gang.
Another topic will be directed towards gang members.
"As a gang member, how do you change your life around when you live in fear, should you leave your gang?" the material asks.
STR8 UP is a grassroots gang intervention program from Saskatoon that works with gang members by helping them to build healthy families, teach them life skills and providing them with the support they need to become responsible citizens.
The workshop will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BIMFC, 960 - 103rd St. in North Battleford.
BIMFC states, "No one will be turned away … come and together we will take that first step."
