A walk against gang violence starts at 10 a.m. at the MSFN School. (file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Keaton Brown

A unified front

A walk against gang violence today in Loon Lake

Oct 1, 2019 | 10:38 AM

A walk to show a united front against gang violence is set for today in Loon Lake.

The Loon Lake RCMP and the Makwa First Nation have organized an anti-gang walk as a public display against gang violence in the community.

“The idea came as a partnership between the Loon Lake RCMP and the Makwa First Nation band and leadership to tackle some of the gang violence and the fear and intimidation the gangs hold on the community. [We wanted] to show a united front between the RCMP and the community members,” Detachment Commander for the Loon Lake RCMP Ryan How said.

How said both the RCMP and the Makwa First Nation have a history of using the colour red in their tradition, culture and history. One of the objectives of the walk is to reclaim that colour from the gangs that have been using it.

“Over the last couple of years there has been a specific gang using the colour red to threaten and intimidate community members. It allows them to operate with no one to be able to provide statements against them because of that fear,” he said. “The RCMP has worn red since 1873 and the band says the colour red is very important to them as well, so we decided to take that colour back.”

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The plan is to start at 10 a.m. at the Makwa First Nation school, then walk through the townsite and down the main street of Loon Lake. From there they will head to the community centre where the RCMP will be cooking burgers and hot dogs.

This will be the first time that an event like this has taken place in Loon Lake and organizers are optimistic about the support they will receive from the community.

“There seems to be a pretty positive buzz around the community. They are expecting three to four hundred people to join us for the walk. We have community members from Ministikwan and surrounding areas. The Village of Loon Lake is supporting us as well,” How said.

How said organizers believe this isn’t a problem specific to the Makwa First Nation but a community issue that involves a few areas around the community so they are very happy to see everyone come together to provide support.

“We really want that to be front and center, showing that we are united against gang violence and seen publicly standing together,” How said.

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Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow