By Angela Brown

Friendship Centre offering youth workshop on dangers of gang life

Nov 29, 2018 | 10:59 AM

Local youth will have an opportunity to learn more about how to how to stay safe and avoid becoming involved in gangs during a presentation at the Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre coming up.

Saskatoon gang violence awareness group STR8 UP will be visiting to offer some insights into the dangers of gangs, drugs and crime.

STR8 UP states on its website it provides outreach services, programming, and support to individuals “living criminal street lifestyles.” 

Jordon Weenie, urban programming for Indigenous peoples coordinator with the Friendship Centre, said he hopes the educational experience will help kids make safer choices in life.

“It’s to create that awareness because gangs they are uprising right now; it’s really heavy in this town,” he said of the challenges in the North Battleford area community. 

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All the activities for the event will take place Tuesday, Dec. 4.

From 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., the STR8 UP guests will meet with the youth in attendance and create a mural inside the centre. 

“When the day comes, we as a group are all going to sit there and talk, paint and bring this mural to life,” Weenie said.

He said it will be a good one-on-one way for STR8 UP to get to know some of the youth in the community and engage with those who have already engaged in at-risk behaviour.

In the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the STR8 UP team will give their presentation to the youth about the topic of gang violence.

Weenie added the talk is mainly aimed for youth ages 13 and up, however anyone is welcome to come.

The STR8 UP event is free to attend. People who wish to take part need to register in advance since lunch will also be served. 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW