Native cadet program marching kids away from gangs

With gangs on native reserves in western Canada becoming moreof a problem,the Stoney Nakoda Nation west of Calgary is hoping a new cadet program will steeryoung people away from a life of crime.

The Stoney Tribal Cadet program was established this year to offer kids an alternative.

Since June about 25 children, ranging in age from six to 20, have been learning marching drills at the recreation centre in Morely, the nation's headquarters.

"My son got physically abused at the Morley school because he said no to one of the wannabe gangsters that offered drugs to him," said Rebecca Twoyoungmen, who watches her 13-year-old son from the sidelines.

A five-year-old boy died early Monday in a shooting on the gang-troubled Hobbema reserve about 80 kilometres south of Edmonton.

RCMP Corp. Mel Calahasen, who created the program at Morely, said it's meant to gives a sense of belonging, and provide the kids with something to do instead of joining a gang.

"To give the youth an opportunity to work as a unit, to work together so that they can work in a community sense," he said. "And that they're able to build confidence among themselves so they can carry this just beyond the program itself," he said.

Calahasen said he hopes the discipline of drills will also encourage the children to do well at school.

Vivianne Rider, the manager of the recreation centre, agreed that the program is filling a big need.

"The youth, they don't have anything to do on the reserve. And you know, they should be kept busy doing something, especially during summer time. And this cadet corps came along and I was happy to help out, give them space here so they can train," she said.