Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2006 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Darren Bernhardt NATIVES WELCOME GUARDIAN ANGELS Many Aboriginals Would Join Crime Fighters, Native Leader Says Many aboriginal people will join the Guardian Angels if the crime-fighting organization tackles drug and violence problems in Saskatoon and Regina, says Native leader Lawrence Joseph. "I would very much welcome them into our neighbourhoods without any reluctance whatsoever," the vice-chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) said Wednesday. "I don't give a damn if they (criminals) are First Nation or otherwise. If it's going to do the work we've been trying to do, let's go. I'm all for it. There's enough pain out there." Statistics show the majority of gang members in Saskatchewan are First Nations youth. Joseph dismisses any suggestion that aboriginal people would view the Guardian Angels as targeting their people. "Not at all," he said, adding the Angels would instead be viewed as an alternative to gang membership for wayward youths searching for belonging. He expects First Nations chiefs would encourage their people to join the Angels organization. "We can join hands and together flush out the drug pushers and criminals who prey on both the young people and elderly." Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa told The StarPhoenix Tuesday of his intention to visit Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg this summer to gauge community interest in establishing a chapter in each of those cities. Each chapter is made up entirely of local volunteers who patrol neighbourhoods in groups of six to 10, confronting and, if necessary, placing offenders under citizens' arrest. The Angels organization was founded in New York during the crime-ridden 1970s and was instantly labelled a troop of vigilantes because of the organization's in-your-face methods and military-like uniform of red berets and jackets. But there has never been a single charge laid against the Angels in 27 years, noted Sliwa. The group's success has spawned chapters in cities around the world, with Canadian chapters planned this year for Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and possibly Edmonton. Sliwa has been snubbed by police and politicians in many centres he's visited, but the Guardian Angels still set roots in many of those cities. Although the Angels prefer to have an amicable relationship with municipal leaders, it's citizens, not administrators, who operate the chapters, he said. The Angels are entirely self-funded, requiring nothing from any level of government, Sliwa said. The Saskatoon Police Service has said it would gladly meet with Sliwa to discuss his intentions. Joseph is also requesting a meeting on behalf of First Nations, but it wouldn't be about the Angels game plan as much as how the FSIN could help. "There is an urgent need for safer communities," said Joseph. "We've been thinking about doing something like that ourselves, as First Nations, to solve the gang problem and other things about this dangerous time we live in." At a recent all-chiefs meeting, the FSIN passed first reading of a piece of legislation called the First Nations Police/Peacekeeping Act. It would result in the creation, on reserves, of a special police force similar to the Guardian Angels, Joseph said. There would be an emphasis on preventative measures, as well as counselling and social programming, rather than prison. But if it comes to the latter, the peacekeepers would partner with off-reserve courts and law enforcement officials. The legislation must still pass two more readings. If approved, it will be at least a year before anything happens, Joseph estimated. The catalyst for the peacekeepers is the lack of existing police resources to effectively patrol reserves, Joseph said. When the treaties were signed, there was a promise by the federal government that First Nations would be protected by the "red coats," referring to the RCMP. "The police simply don't have the manpower and we understand that," Joseph said. "But instead of expecting the police to do everything for us, we can do things ourselves." Perhaps the peacekeepers will establish urban units to work alongside the Angels, Joseph suggested. Crime watch is more effective when done by those living in the immediate area, not residents from other parts of the city, say community associations. "There's more of a sense of ownership in getting to know your neighbours and building friendships," said Anita Kinzel, co-ordinator of the King George community watch and citizen patrol programs. When people know their neighbours, those who don't belong are easily identified, said Kinzel, whose patrol group once prevented a break-and-enter. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman