Seven Williams Lake groups receive grants to curb gang violence
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Seven groups in Williams Lake will be receiving funding to support community-based crime prevention and remediation initiatives.
221 projects across the province will receive their share of $8.6 million through the Civil Forfeiture Crime Prevention and Remediation grant program.
“Over the past 15 years, most civil forfeiture cases have been related to drug, gang and organized crime. In turn, it’s appropriate that once again, some of the proceeds are going into gang prevention,” says Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “These annual grants support life-changing and even life-saving work through supporting the prevention of gang involvement and of gender-based violence and violence against women.”
Yeqox Nilin Justice Society has worked towards establishing such a court within the Williams Lake area for the past six years. The specialized court does not conduct trials, but provides collaborative and holistic sentencing to assist offenders in rehabilitation while reducing their tendency to re-offend and acknowledging and repairing the harm done to victims and the community, noted B.C’s Provincial Court. Friday’s soft opening on Youtube will feature prerecorded videos of the nine court elders taking part in blanketing ceremonies held last week. “I’m happy to assist in whatever way I can to see our people continue healing,” said Tl’esqox elder Joan Gentles who wore a ribbon skirt and cowboy hat while she was blanketed at the Tsilhqot’in National Government s South Lakeside office in Williams Lake.
Soft opening scheduled for Williams Lake Indigenous Court - The Turtle Island News theturtleislandnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theturtleislandnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.