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Native youth called more militant, more violent
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Native youth in Saskatchewan are becoming more militant and more violent in response to racism in Canadian society, according to a top Native lawyer.
Donald Worme, a Cree from the Kawacatoose First Nation, said more and more young Natives are joining gangs and resorting to crime. A recent report said Saskatchewan is a hotbed of Native gang activity, something Worme knows by personal experience.
"How do I know this? Because I defend these young people on a daily basis for killing one another and other people," he said at a conference CBC News reported. "Over what – nothing. Twenty bucks, you name it – they'll kill you sooner than talk to you. If that isn't a crisis, I don't know what it is."
Worme said more Native people need to be involved in the law enforcement system. Gerald E. Morin, a Native provincial court judge, also spoke at the conference and warned of "legislative genocide" that is slowly chipping away at Native rights.
Get the Story:
Aboriginals facing 'legislative genocide,' conference hears
(CBC 6/15)
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(6/14)
Report cites increase in Native gang
activity (03/15)
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