Helping youth break the cycle

They’ve seen some of the hardest things and walked some of the darkest paths. They know street life, gang life, the extremes of drugs and alcohol, and life on the inside of prison walls. Now, these four men are becoming the role models they never had, offering hope — that life-changing and potentially life-saving gift — to younger generations.

Four Sacred Hearts, established in 2023, is a grassroots Indigenous-led organization dedicated to healing from addictions due to intergenerational trauma from the impact of the residential school system.

Tim Barron, Glen Hondz, Terrence Morin and Jeremy Raven are sharing their stories about how they changed their lives. They’re facilitating programs that connect to culture, through traditional drumming, smudging and returning to finding the sacred in ceremony. Through community outreach, they’re involved in support groups, family reunification, counselling, and sharing lived experience.

Crime across the Prairies is a widespread concern. Seasoned workers with extensive knowledge of what’s happening every day on the streets say the need in the community is overwhelming and that the age of kids getting involved in gangs is a lot younger than it used to be. They also say that to create change we must understand the complex and multi-layered underlying social issues and the root causes of violence so that vulnerable youth are not destined to repeat the same dangerous behaviours.

Without that, things can more easily start to fall apart.

A non-profit organization, Four Sacred Hearts works to break cycles through compassion and learning from others. The gift of drumming (the heartbeat of Mother Earth) is offered as healing medicine. The group is committed to decolonizing Indigenous people by means of vitally connecting with youth through mentorship, meeting them where they are and helping to guide them to healthy choices.

“We belong, we all fit together,” said Barron. “In almost every community we are welcomed, we are loved, the youth sing traditional songs, go to sweat lodges. The elders say the youth come to us.

“There are generational curses, but now we are able to provide security, resources. People can change. Our kids, the ones after us. Our past doesn’t determine what we are today.”

All of the men are now involved in helping others heal, through their work with sober-living houses, leading drum circles, mentoring young people to make different choices and in giving whenever and wherever they can, serving as a source of inspiration and teaching.

These guys aren’t just talking the talk. They’re walking the walk, humbly doing all they can to give back.

With year-round weekly community walks, they have a dream of continuing to do more.

“We all come from jail,” said Raven. “We went from jail to treatment. Anybody can do it. It’s about finding those supports. We’ve turned our pain into a purpose.”

Healthy role models are crucial in every child’s life and when that vital piece is missing, young people are more likely to choose unhealthy or even dangerous behaviours. Four Sacred Hearts discusses about the importance of having a life purpose in order to fuel hope and optimism.

“We share words of encouragement with youth, said Barron. “Ask for help. Do what you’re passionate about. We want to show that to the youth. Education, community, family, humility.”

Children need to have someone to look up to, to emulate. These guys have street cred when it comes to teaching lessons. They’re telling kids to stay in school, to get involved in sports, to find motivation to learn, that change is possible. And the kids are listening.

“It can be so intimidating,” said Hondz, about doing school presentations, “but it’s a good feeling to bring that awareness. Kids open up to us, about coming from broken homes, being bullied.”

“Circumstances, it’s all I knew at the time. We model what was taught to us,” added Morin, about the influences that impacted his previous life choices. Now he’s in a very different place.

“I want to honour my mom and break the cycle. I want my kid to see me trying to make change. We encourage men to break the cycle.”

Neale Gillespie has walked alongside the men almost every week since they started and seen first-hand the impact they have in people’s lives.

“I am humbled every day I have a chance to engage with them. The positive impact they have in the community with youth, adults, and families is unmeasurable. From school visits to working directly in the community, Four Sacred Hearts consistently shares positive and growth-oriented hope through Indigenous teachings and ceremony. It really is an example of reconciliation in action and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from them.”

With dreams of having their own truck and their own space someday so they can help move families and do more for the people in the communities, the group is looking for sponsorships and are in need of bottled water, food donations, snacks for children, socks for unsheltered relatives, and wagons to transport supplies to the community. Cash donations and printing services for vests and Four Sacred Hearts crests to help identify community walkers are gratefully accepted.

Upcoming events include traditional singing at College Garden City Collegiate’s Adult Education Centre on June 20 and at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children on June 21. Weekly community walks every Sunday begin at 419 Selkirk Ave. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., walk starts at 4 p.m. Volunteers are always welcome.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram. To offer support and donations, or for booking information, email: foursacredhearts@gmail.com

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca

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