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By battlefordsNOW Staff

PUBLIC SAFETY

Gang prevention symposium returns to North Battleford with focus on early intervention

Feb 3, 2026 | 10:31 AM

It’s about stopping harm before it starts.

Service providers, youth and Elders will gather in North Battleford this week for the second annual Gang Prevention Symposium and Elders and Youth Gathering, a three-day event focused on early intervention and preventing youth involvement in gangs.

The symposium runs Feb. 5 to 7 and is a partnership between the City of North Battleford, the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition (BRCC), Concern for Youth and Safer Schools Together.

Organizers say the event builds on the success of last year’s inaugural symposium and will feature professional development sessions aimed at equipping local agencies with tools to recognize warning signs and intervene before youth become involved in gangs.

“We are very happy to continue this important work of connecting service providers with industry professionals like Safer Schools Together,” BRCC executive director Brad Swiftwolfe said in a release.

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“By offering these innovative intervention strategies to local agencies, we aim to build a better, safer future for our at-risk youth in the Battlefords.”

Read more:

• ‘We can’t work in silos’: First annual Gang Prevention Symposium inspires youth to build a better community
• Mountie talks about gang issues in Saskatchewan

Agencies from across Saskatchewan will host information booths at the Don Ross Centre gym, highlighting available services and supports. Members of the public are invited to attend from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 5 and 6.

An Elders and Youth Gathering is scheduled for Saturday and will feature drumming and dancing performances, cultural connection opportunities for youth and local Elders, and a screening of Handle with Care – The Legend of the Notic, an award-winning documentary about a Vancouver-based streetball team.

The gathering will also introduce a new basketball camp for youth aged nine to 18. According to organizers, participants will receive free instruction, along with giveaways including basketball clothing and gear and two signed NBA jerseys.

Safer Schools Together senior executive consultant Rob Rai said the weekend will include participation from former professional basketball players and support from partner organizations, including Athlete Basketball Academy and the Pacific Northwest Sports Group.

“A special thank you to the Lindy Waters III Foundation, representing Lindy Waters III, who is a current NBA player for the San Antonio Spurs and a proud citizen of the Kiowa and Cherokee Nations.”

Registration is not required for the Elders and Youth Gathering, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 7.

Funding for the Gang Prevention Symposium is primarily provided through Public Safety Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund. 

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com