Aboriginal Gangs

[tehaliwaskenhas@aol.com]

Stay Out of Gangs-Manitoba Anti-Gang Strategy
December 1st, 2009 . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=10781#p10781
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The increase in gang activity in Indian Country
Testimony - November 2009
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=10776#p10776
U.S.Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Testimony - July 2009
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=10365#p10365
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Despite increased danger, youth gang members feel safe
June 2009
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=10224#p10224

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National Aboriginal Gang Prevention Commission
May 2009
viewtopic.php?p=10212#p10212
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PERSPECTIVE
Why do so many youth flock to Native gangs
August 2008 . . .
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=9557#p9557
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Gangs Growing on Indian Reservations
2007
http://www.arizonanativenet.com/news/ne ... s_item=390

Native American Gang Members
http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources ... ve_001.htm


Gangs in the United States
http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/topics/gangs.asp
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YOUTH GANGS IN CANADA:
A PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Prepared for: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Submitted by: Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family
2006
http://www.turtleisland.org/resources/youthgangs.pdf
(.pdf file)

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Providing Kids with Alternatives to Guns and Gangs
2006
viewtopic.php?t=4305

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PERSPECTIVE
2006
Social stigmas and domestic violence — and Aboriginal gangs — continue to impact women in Aboriginal communities . . .
http://www.themanitoban.com/2005-2006/0 ... otypes.php

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Gang Strategy
2006
viewtopic.php?p=7203
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First Nations and Organized Crime

Executive Summary

Aboriginal gangs are prevalent in Manitoba, both in urban areas as well as in First Nation communities. While they are involved in numerous illegal activities, they are not as organized as Outlaw Motorcycle gangs; rather, these gangs tend to be engage in numerous social, as opposed to criminal, activities. However, they do engage in criminal activities, and their actions are a reason for concern for both law enforcement authorities and residents of communities.

While understanding adult gangs is important for gaining a comprehensive picture of Aboriginal gangs in Manitoba, much of this project ended up focusing upon youths. This is largely due to the fact that community residents themselves indicated that this was a central problem with the longevity and continuation of gangs in their communities – they wanted to have prevention and intervention programs for youths prior to them becoming asked to join a gang, or where they are marginal members of gangs, how to best intervene in their lives to end their association with gangs. This is because (1) there is a significant influence of gangs upon the level of serious crime and especially violent crime in communities. Second, this influence of gang membership on crime, in particular violent crime, has a long lasting impact. Third, gang membership has a significant negative impact upon the developmental growth of youths, thereby negatively influencing the community. And finally, there is a high degree of overlap between gang membership and serious, violent and chronic offending.

Future work in this area should study the nature of all aspects of these Aboriginal gangs, particularly as they operate in First Nations communities and how they are connected to gangs in urban areas. A social network analysis of their operations could lead to a greater understanding of their operations and the key players involved, which could lead to more successful crime reduction programs.

To obtain an electronic copy of the complete report (PDF), please send a request by e-mail to the Research and Evaluation Section (Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services) of the RCMP research_evaluation@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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Aboriginal Gangs in Canada
2005
viewtopic.php?p=5409

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Youth Gangs in Indian Country
2004
http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/jjbul20 ... tents.html

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Special Report on Organized Crime in Canada
Aboriginal Gangs, Stories, Police, Communities, Research, Solutions

October 28, 2003

News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas - Bob Kennedy
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

Aboriginal organized crime continues to grow, but it no longer is a priority for police, says a recently released federal report.

The latest news is that despite the growth of Aboriginal gang activity, the Mounties are no longer focusing on organized Aboriginal crime

On October 28th, 2003 the National Post reported it had obtained federal documents, through an Access to Information request, that said Aboriginal organized crime - Aboriginal gangs no longer command the focused attention of the RCMP because of a cutback in resources, and a realignment of priorities.

Although police consider aboriginal organized crime a growing problem both on reserves and in cities, the report shows the RCMP is no longer pursuing the matter as a national enforcement priority.

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For the past decade there's been much said about the reality of Aboriginal gangs in Canada.

For example:

"Aboriginal-based gangs support other organized crime groups, particularly the HELLS ANGELS and Asian-based organized crime groups, as well as associating with other Aboriginal-based gangs. Aboriginal-based gangs are generally involved in street-level trafficking of marihuana, cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine as well as other criminal activities. "
.................................Criminal Intelligence Service Canada 2003 Report


"Aboriginal street gang activity has reached epidemic proportions in Saskatchewan."
. . . . . . . . . . . . StarPhoenix report on a study released by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations August 23, 2003


"It is clear that there is a pressing need for greater research attention to be directed to the growing phenomenon of aboriginal organized crime in Canada, as well as to the potential for more creative program responses offered by restorative and community justice initiatives."
............................E.J. Dickson-Gilmore, PhD. Carleton University, 2002

"There is a growing trade in hard drugs on some First Nations reserves in Alberta due to the presence of aboriginal gang members or associates. At one time these gangs existed primarily in correctional institutions as a means of protection, however in the past few years they have recognized the financial benefits of exploiting individuals on reserves. Aboriginal gang members and associates in Alberta are involved in drug trafficking, robberies and home invasions, and do not hesitate to use violence."
. . . . . . . . . . . . 2003 Annual Report Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta

"In Western Canada, aboriginal street gangs are becoming more prominent. They are gaining an increasing foothold in prostitution, drugs, and crimes against persons. The street gangs have strong connections with aboriginals in the prison population and recruit many of their members there... Aboriginal gangs will continue to expand."
................................Criminal Intelligence Service Canada 1996 Report

"The media have a lot of power to endorse stereotypes," says Susan Swan, an Ojibway from the Lake Manitoba First Nation. "We go into First Nations communities to talk to youth about gangs. When asked, the kids estimate that about 95 per cent of Aboriginal youth is involved in gangs. The actual number is three per cent. Why do they think these numbers are so high? It’s because this is what they get from television and newspapers."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2003 The Impact of Stereotyping on Young People, Media Awareness Network
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/i ... impact.cfm


"One problem of the label, "member of X gang", is its subjectivity, inflexibility and finality. Things change, people change. Memberships happen, memberships are abandoned. Not so for the labeling process, it remains its own truth never to be modified once logged. The grantor of the label becomes the membership clerk of a fictitious list that exists to serve the ends of the justice system. Certainly there are members in the various organizations labeled by society as "Aboriginal youth gangs." But neither the police, the courts nor the correctional intake officers can know for certain at any given time who is an active member and who is a mere acquaintance or uninvolved friend to an active member or for that matter who has disassociated themselves. "
.................................... Aboriginal Gangs, Ovide Mercredi, October 2000


"The Indian Posse, the Manitoba Warriors, and Posse Killers are just a few of the gangs that have spread across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. The gangs that started out in the rough neighbourhoods of Winnipeg, Regina, and Edmonton are growing and finding new members on reserves and prisons. Penitentiaries like Stony Mountain in Manitoba have a high population of Aboriginal people and many of them are youth. The gang life is a lifestyle filled with crime and violence. But how does this life affect the women and children associated with gangs – either by their own membership or through their relationships with men who are gang members? Some babies are born into gangs, and young mothers are endangered by the men in their lives."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . November 22, 2003 episode of Venturing Forth on APTN
viewtopic.php?p=1708


"Jonathan is the most feared gang member in the hood. He quickly worked his way up the ranks and ultimately became leader of the most violent Regina street gang. He is a drug dealer and pimp and is responsible for recruiting Kristin and Danna into the sex-trade. He comes from a family that is highly dysfunctional and abusive. He has grown up in Moccasin Flats his entire life."
. . . . . . . . . . . . Moccasin Flats, film series http://www.bigsoul.net/theflats

"Aboriginal youth, from birth to age 24, comprise 55 per cent of the Aboriginal population. By comparison, non-Aboriginal youth comprise 33 per cent of the non-Aboriginal population"
.....................(Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. “Aboriginal People in Canada”, 2001).

"Rates of gambling and drug, tobacco and alcohol abuses are higher among Aboriginal youth than any other youth group (Scott, 1997). Aboriginal youth are implicated or used in a number of criminal activities, including as runners in the trafficking of contraband products, tobacco, alcohol and drugs. The abuse of contraband alcohol, however, may not be a factor in many northern Aboriginal communities because while illegal alcohol is made, organized contraband products are not usually bought by Aboriginal peoples (Mallard et al, 2002). Aboriginal youth gangs are increasing in numbers and influence in Western Canada (Courtois, 2002). As for gambling, it has a unique inter-generational impact on Aboriginal youth. A recent Alberta study showed that almost half of aboriginal youth were at risk or problem gamblers (National Council on Welfare, 1996)."
. . . . . . . . The Direct and Indirect Impacts of Organized Crime on Youth, as Offenders and Victims, by Holly Richter-White, M.A. - March 2003

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This past summer (2003), it was reported in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix
that Aboriginal street gang activity has "reached epidemic proportions" in Saskatchewan.

http://www.northernalliance.ca/news/fre ... ginals.htm

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Report of a dozen Aboriginal gangs in Edmonton

http://www.manitobachiefs.com/news/2003 ... 40318.html


The Aboriginal gangs in Alberta. Who they are and what they do

http://hightechmagazine.com/ManageArtic ... =290&A=149


Earlier this year a report appeared in the Calgary Herald about First Nation fears regarding the spread of gangs

http://www.manitobachiefs.com/news/2003 ... 40302.html

http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryhe ... E1FA007301

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Street Gang Awareness

http://www.city.winnipeg.mb.ca/police/P ... source.pdf


Gangs in Winnipeg

http://www.newdirectionsindiscipline.com/gangs.htm


Project Gang-Proof in Manitoba

http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/gangproof/


Thunderbird House / Neeginan - Traditional Healing
Paa-Pii-Wak has programs to help gang members to get out

http://www.thunderbirdhouse.mb.ca

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BACKGROUND ON ABORIGINAL GANGS / ORGANIZED CRIME

The following was released by Criminal Intelligence Service Canada in August 2003

CISC National Intelligence Priorities

Aboriginal-based Organized Crime (ABOC)


Highlights

Aboriginal-based gangs support other organized crime groups, particularly the HELLS ANGELS and Asian-based organized crime groups, as well as associating with other Aboriginal-based gangs.

Aboriginal-based gangs are generally involved in street-level trafficking of marihuana, cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine as well as other criminal activities.

National Overview

Aboriginal-based gangs are present in a number of urban centres across Canada, particularly in Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg, with a smaller presence in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. There is little presence of Aboriginal-based gangs in Atlantic Canada or the three northern territories. The gangs are also on and around many Aboriginal reserves nationally; even on smaller, more remote reserves. Gang members will continue to move fluidly on and off reserves, involved in criminal activities and recruitment of new gang members.

The primary gangs nationally are the INDIAN POSSE, REDD ALERT, WARRIORS and NATIVE SYNDICATE, with a number of other smaller gangs that form and reform frequently. Aboriginal-based gangs are assessed by law enforcement as a low-level organized criminal threat. They are generally involved in street-level trafficking of marihuana, cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine. The gangs are also involved in prostitution, break-and-enters, robberies, assaults, intimidation, tobacco fraud, home invasions, vehicle thefts, weapons offences, illegal gaming, and debt collection and enforcement for other organized crime groups, such as the HELLS ANGELS.

In Alberta, Aboriginal-based gangs that once existed primarily in prisons for protection purposes have now recognized the financial benefit of trafficking hard drugs (e.g. cocaine) on reserves. Many of the gangs have ready access to weapons, including firearms, that has resulted in a number of incidents of violence.

In a number of federal and provincial correctional institutions across Canada, Aboriginal-based gangs are involved in drug trafficking, intimidation and assaults. Aboriginal-based gangs exert influence within the correctional institutions, directing the smuggling of drugs into correctional institutions and communicating with gang members outside the institutions.

Aboriginal-based gangs are associated, in various supportive or facilitating roles, to a number of other organized crime groups, particularly the HELLS ANGELS and Asian-based organized crime groups. There are also associations, both within provinces and interprovincially, between other Aboriginal-based gangs.


Outlook
Aboriginal-based gang activity will increase nationally, particularly in cities, but also on reserves, even in smaller more remote areas.

Gangs will continue recruitment of new members and associates, particularly among youth.

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The 2003 CISC report also said

CISC National Monitored Issues

Contraband Tobacco and Alcohol

Currently, the smuggled tobacco is mostly illicit Aboriginal manufactured products, discount U.S. brands, or other foreign products from South America, Asia, and the Middle East. Counterfeit cigarettes, particularly the Phillip Morris ‘Marlboro’ brand, have been encountered in Canada, believed to be smuggled from China.


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Note from Criminal Intelligence Service Canada:

References to organized criminal activity associated to particular ethnic-based organizations in this report are not meant to suggest that all members of that specific ethnic group are involved in organized crime or that the government of the country of origin or its authorized agencies permits or participates in any illegal activities. These references allude to the illegal activities of particular criminal organizations, the majority of whose members share ethnic origins.

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BACKGROUND ON ORGANIZED CRIME AND ABORIGINAL GANGS

Communities, Contraband and Conflict: Considering Restorative Responses to Repairing the Harms Implicit in Smuggling in the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/akwesasne_e.htm

Ovide Mercredi's Aboriginal Gangs 2000 report
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/abgangs.htm

The Direct and Indirect Impacts of Organized Crime on Youth, as Offenders and Victims
http://www.turtleisland.org/news/orgcrime.pdf

The Invisible Gang Members:A Report on Female Gang Association in Winnipeg
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/manitoba/gangs.pdf

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Criminal Intelligence Service Canada - 1998

NATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME PRIORITIES

ABORIGINAL-BASED EXTREMISM AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY


Highlights


New York state tax laws sparked violence on the Cattaraugus Reservation, near Buffalo.
Machine guns, automatic and semi-automatic weapons were seized by the RCMP on the Kahnawake Reserve, south of Montreal, in September 1997. The seized weapons were part of a black market operation that sold firearms, explosives, drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. Relations between this Mohawk community and police were strained, but there was noretaliation for the seizure.
Aboriginal street gangs continue to expand in the Prairie provinces.
Current Situation
Organized crime and criminal extremist activity in aboriginal communities did not exceed previous years' levels in 1997. Anticipated civil disobedience and other disruptive activities on a large scale did not materialize. This, despite the outcomes of the Gustafsen Lake and Ipperwash trials, the Queen's visit and a federal election, all of which took place between April and July.

In British Columbia numerous minor incidents occurred, for the most part involving protests and railway blockades in remote areas. Gustafsen Lake extremists calling themselves TS'PETEN DEFENDERS organized protest rallies at the Surrey B.C. Courthouse. Local authorities believe that a criminal element among Aboriginal Gustafsen Lake sympathizers was behind a threat against three British Columbia Court of Appeal Justices.

Opposition to the Cheviot Mine Project, just outside Jasper National Park, has raised a number of native concerns regarding environmental and ecological impact and is a potential flashpoint for serious confrontation.

One of the most serious threats during the 1997 spring and summer period was New York state's decree that taxes would be collected on liquor, tobacco and gasoline sold on Indian reservations. As a result, violence broke out on the Cattaraugus Reservation, located south of Buffalo.

An RCMP weapons raid at Kahnawake in September 1997 netted several automatic and semi-automatic weapons including three belt-fed machine guns.

The Mohawk community of Kahnawake is threatening to impose user fees on highways, railways and seaways crossing its territory, raising the stakes in a dispute with the province of Quebec over the sale of cigarettes. The threats were made after the Quebec government tried to eliminate fraudand the sale of contraband cigarettes on native reserves. A new policy, announced in June 1998, requires native retailers to pay an increased tobacco excise tax. Native retailers can only obtain a rebate if they can prove the cigarettes were not sold to non-natives. Native leaders have said they will refuse to comply. They want to establish Kahnawake as a duty-free zone. Negotiations between the Mohawk leaders of Kahnawake and the Quebec government will take place in future.

Aboriginal street gangs continue to have a strong presence in the Prairie provinces. Expansion by the more organized gangs has slowed down while the more violent, unorganized ones appeal to younger people and are expanding rapidly. Many of these gangs are drawing members from other ethnic groups as well as from aboriginal communities.

A conflict between two factions on the Listuguj (Restigouche) Reserve on the Quebec\ New Brunswick border increased tensions in an area already known for conflicts over salmon and lobster fishing. The conflict stemmed from recent band elections which were contested by the losing faction. The Department of Indian Affairs intervened and new elections were called. This did not sit well with the ruling faction and militant action was threatened. Radicals from New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia were brought in to assist. In the end, the ruling faction was voted out of office and another chief took over.

Another potential flashpoint is in New Brunswick where there have been minor confrontations over native logging on crown lands. In November 1997 the situation was complicated when Justice Turnball of the Court of Queen's Bench ruled that natives have the right to cut trees on crown land. A native forest industry was born overnight attracting aboriginal workers from the United States and Quebec. Roadblocks and signs were put in place to keep out unwanted visitors. There have been minor confrontations to date. The issue has become somewhat more contentious with the province's successful appeal of Justice Turnball's decision. Negotiations between the natives and different levels of government regarding logging rights are ongoing.


Outlook


Government response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) report and the residential schools situation will be followed closely at the political level.
Additional minor confrontations over native logging on Crown Lands in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are likely, with some potential for violence.

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Annual Report onOrganized Crime in Canada - 1997

ABORIGINAL-BASED ORGANIZED CRIME
Highlights
Aboriginal street gangs in the Prairie provinces are growing and making alliances with other organized crime groups. They have enhanced their status in both the criminal and the aboriginal communities through their involvement in the Waterhen reserve standoff and the riot at the Headingly Jail.
Akwesasne remains a smuggling centre. Liquor, tobacco, illegal aliens and other consumer goods are moved through this area. The smuggling of tobacco products is not as widespread as it was before 1994.


Current Situation
The stand-off at the Waterhen reserve in Manitoba in May was the only major aboriginal incident in 1996. There were several other hot spots that threatened to ignite but that nevertheless remained calm. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) report released in November 1996 contains 440 recommendations that, if adopted, would see major constitutional changes, increased spending of $30 billion over a 20 year period, land claim settlements and redress of grievances over residential schools, among other issues. Various aboriginal leaders have warned that if the recommendations are not heeded, violence on the scale of Gustafsen Lake, Ipperwash and Oka could once again occur. There has also been resistance to the federal government's proposed changes to the Indian Act. This intransigence could intensify the irritation that some aboriginals are already feeling about what they consider to be the federal government's lukewarm response to the RCAP report.

Aboriginal-based organized crime groups may use these political developments as an excuse to undertake criminal acts in the guise of political action.

Criminal Activity

Aboriginal street gangs remain a concern for law enforcement, particularly in the Prairie provinces. These gangs are primarily made up of young aboriginals on the bottom rung of the socio-economic ladder. Their development is similar to that of street gangs in the United States. The most powerful group, the Manitoba Warriors, are involved in drug trafficking and prostitution.

Although based in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Warriors are active in other cities and rural aboriginal communities on the Prairies. They also have a presence in aboriginal communities in north-western Ontario. The Manitoba Warriors made headlines in 1996 with their involvement in the stand-off at the Waterhen reserve in Manitoba. They were hired to provide an armed presence for a dissident faction on the reserve.

Two Manitoba Warriors and a striker for the Los Bravos were convicted in the murder of two Hells Angels associates and another individual in Winnipeg. The murders were apparently committed over control of prostitution in Winnipeg.

Members of the Manitoba Warriors and the Indian Posse were an important factor as instigators and participants in the riot at Manitoba's Headingley Provincial Jail in April 1996. Some prisoners were tortured and beaten during the riot by gang members and damage to the institution exceeded $3 million.

Akwesasne is still the area of operations for aboriginal criminal organizations. The smuggling of liquor, tobacco, illegal aliens and other commodities continue to cross the border between Canada and the United States. Liquor and tobacco products are smuggled into Canada from the United States while illegal aliens are smuggled in the other direction. Inter-provincial tax evasion on tobacco products is also being committed by these criminal organizations when they move tobacco products from a low-tax province to a high-tax province. Tobacco smuggling has fallen in the aftermath of the 1994 reduction in the federal tobacco tax.

Illegal alien smuggling through Akwesasne was publicized last year after an elderly woman drowned during a crossing into the United States. Outlook
Irritation over the federal government’s perceived lack of response to the RCAP report and unwanted amendments to the Indian Act will give aboriginal organized crime a pretext for criminal activities.
Aboriginal street gangs will continue to consolidate their control of criminal activities such as prostitution and drugs in urban centres like Winnipeg.


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Corrections Services Canada

Aboriginal gangs overview and pilot initiative

CSC is facing major security and reintegration issues as it relates to Aboriginal gangs in the Prairie region.

Introduction:

There are an estimated 300 Aboriginal gang members currently incarcerated in the Prairie Region that often pose security threats and have unique reintegration needs;
In the spring of 2000, Ovide Mercredi, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, completed a study on Aboriginal Gangs for CSC. He submitted a report recommending a non-labelling approach to program incentives and utilizing the services of select Elders with skills in this area;
In December of 2000, CSC approved a Pilot Correctional Initiative on Aboriginal Gangs, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to address the unique issues relative to Aboriginal gangs in Canada.
Overview:

A team has to carry out the CSC Aboriginal Gangs Initiative.
A Steering Committee, which includes representation from CSC and the Aboriginal community, has been established to guide the initiative.
Future:

The Pilot Initiative on Aboriginal Gangs will work towards building a bridge between the Institution and the Aboriginal community to establish a strong network of support.
Their mission over the next year will be to change the directional path of current Aboriginal gang members, from a criminal lifestyle to a path of healing and positive contribution in the community.

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A Parent's Resource Guide
http://www.gangwar.com/parent1.htm

Family Breakdown Feeds Growth of Gangs
http://www.nymministries.org/tnf114a.html

Aboriginal Youth Leave Gang Life
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2000/0410/str ... 1000.shtml