An anti-gang walk in Loon Lake is the inspiration behind the event in Big Island Lake Cree Territory. (supplied/Ryan How)

By Keaton Brown

United against violence

A walk against gang violence in Big Island Lake Cree Territory later this month

Oct 8, 2019 | 2:27 PM

A walk against gang violence to promote a unified community will happen in Big Island Lake Cree Territory later this month.

Similar to an event that happened in Loon Lake last week, Big Island Lake Cree Territory will host an anti-gang walk in their community on Wednesday, October 23.

Event organizer Geoff Sandfly said the department of education, the band office, the school, local RCMP and the Loon Lake RCMP will participate in the event. They expect upwards of 400 people to take part.

The Loon Lake walk focused on reclaiming the colour red back from the gangs, while Sandfly said this walk will focus on uniting different communities against gang violence.

Sandfly said they have asked the people from Loon Lake to bring their red shirts, the local school will wear grey, Ministikwan will wear blue and people from Big Island Lake Cree Territory will wear white shirts.

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The array of colours will represent the unification of the different communities coming together to make a stand against gang violence.

Sandfly said he has seen the issue of gang violence create rifts within his otherwise tight knit community.

“Everybody sees the division and hate going on around here, the arguments. I see it and I just wanted to put together an event that puts people together,” he said. “It is hard for me to say because I have been affected in so many different ways and I don’t have the solution but if I can bring people together than maybe together we can have a solution.”

The event will start at 11 a.m. at the band office and wrap up at the school where there will be burgers and refreshments available.

Once at the school they will have a few speakers from the different communities address the participants in the gymnasium.

Sandfly said they are still looking for a few more volunteers to help out at the event. Anyone interested in participating in or volunteering at the event is encouraged to reach out to him by email.

—

Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow