Paa Pii Wak Gang Awareness Workshops are designed to inform teachers, community leaders, school counselors, police, family and youth workers, or other persons wishing to gain knowledge on the negative effects of joining a gang. We have traveled all over Canada doing our presentations. We aim to stop or curb gang activity in or around schools and public places.

WHO WE ARE

We are a group of individuals specializing in gang awareness, identification, prevention, signs, symbols and behaviors of gangs.

PRESENTERS

Our speakers are comprised of former gang members female and male, all of whom were associated with three of the largest Aboriginal gangs in Canada. Together, they provide their experiences on gang related issues.

"Thank You for coming and teaching us about gangs.
You taught me a valuable lesson. I could of went down that road."
Justin - Age 11

THE CONTEXT OF GANGS

Little data is available on gang activity, however, many community workers have noticed that gang activity is becoming more sophisticated, and the gangs have become more territorial and better established. Many youth find the gang to be a "second family" often a reflection of the instability of their own home situation.

CORRECTIONAL STATISTICS

The Aboriginal population in Manitoba is the highest in all of the provinces. According to the 1996 Canadian census, there were 128,685 Aboriginal Manitobans, or 11.7% of the provincial population. Many correctional institutions in Manitoba are populated with 40 to 90 % of persons of Aboriginal descent which shows a considerable difference compared with the total provincial population. In 2004, the Department of Justice Canada reported that the incarceration rate of Aboriginal youth was 64.5 per 10,000 population while the incarceration rate for non-Aboriginal youth was 8.2 per 10,000 population. Aboriginal youth were almost eight times more likely to be in custody to their non-Aboriginal counterparts.

ABORIGINAL YOUTH JUSTICE SYMPOSIUM

Some Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth in urban centers seek refuge in the street gangs because of the lack of support services in the community. Children who are 10 years old or older are continually targeted for gang recruitment. According to the 1996 Aboriginal Youth Justice Symposium, one of the concerns is that there is little opportunity for the youth to participate in the issues that have a direct impact on their lives. The goal is to make changes to the system so that it is culturally appropriate for Aboriginal people.

SESSION FORMAT

Upon request, Paa Pii Wak Gang Awareness Workshops utilize a traditional Elder who will share traditional and spiritual teachings to instill the group with the sense of meaning and belonging. We invite people to participate in the experience of spiritual purification. Each workshop is opened by a song on the sacred drum. These are followed by presentations from our ex-gang members warning youth about the pitfalls and long lasting repercussions of joining a gang.

"I wholeheartedly support the work that Izzy is committed to and deliver that in providing further support to him, communities and neighbourhoods will be safer, there will be fewer victims of crime, many individuals will begin their journey towards wholeness and the community capacity will be enhanced.

It is clear that Izzy is filling a gap that others have not been able to step into."
Rev. David Molzahn
Advisor to the Director General Correctional Services Canada