Editor:
I was saddened by the Stoney elder’s letter in the Outlook two weeks ago.
Reserve gang violence is not new, but one also wonders why the RCMP and chiefs aren’t laying charges. Roaming gangs beating up people in Canmore would not be tolerated.
Whatever happened to the Young Offenders Justice Committee? As a member of this committee in Stony Plain, young offenders who came before us were given a variety of retributive measures for community misbehaviour. Retribution ranged from community service, fines and counseling to apologies to victims and reprimands from committee members.
I belong to an international spiritual school based on teachings and practices on how to live one’s life based on these principles and a Code for Warriorship. To me, I feel native youth would benefit from how the New Zealand Maori handle violent behaviour; based on Ancient Warrior principles.
A Maori carver and architect in our group mentors young offenders, teaching them carving skills. These were put into practice by carving the entrance to their New Zealand Marae, a sacred meeting house. What would Chief Walking Buffalo, Stony Elder who travelled the world, including New Zealand, forming relationships with many cultures, think about this issue?
Why not build your own sacred meeting house and invite role models to speak to the youth in Morley? Areas could include the arts, sports, teachers, police enforcement and spiritual leaders. This could be a gathering for change.
“If you take advantage of a person weaker than yourself, then you are not a true Warrior of the Spirit” (The Warrior Code, Imre Vallyon).
Eileen Patterson,
Canmore
