A new book offers a unique look into the lives of nine former Aboriginal gang members.
Brighter Days Ahead, written by University of Saskatchewan PhD student Robert Henry, was launched Tuesday in Saskatoon.
Henry says by allowing the ex-gang members to tell their stories by taking their own photographs, it allowed him to gain a particular insight into their lives.
“A lot of people have always wondered, like how did you get the guys to open up and one of the things I wasn’t interested in was finding the specific examples of violence and crime that they were in,” he says. “I wanted to know more about who their role models were, what were they doing and how did that influence them in who they thought they needed to be as a man.”
Emil Brandon, one of the men featured in the book, says it was during a stint in jail that he was forced to take a long and hard look at himself and realize it was time to change.
“I realized one day, I woke up and I just said, ‘Man, what am I doing? I don’t think my dad would really be proud of me – my dad had passed – I don’t think he would be proud of me today,’” he says.
Rodney Nattaucappo, who is also featured in the book, says although those caught up in gang life may feel like they have no other options, it is never too late to start a new life.
“If you are going to make bad choices, you know you are going to have to deal with those choices at some point in your life,” he says. “It’s never too late to turn your life around and go back the other way or to do what’s good or what you believe is right.”
Henry is doing his doctorate in Native Studies.
Proceeds from the book are being donated to STR8UP, a non-profit organization that helps young men and women get out of gang life.
The book launch took place at the U of S.