SASKATOON – The Commission on First Nations and Metis Peoples and Justice Reform is paying particular attention to the circumstances of young people in Saskatchewan in its second interim report due to be released tomorrow.

This report takes a look at the new Youth Criminal Justice Act, which will be implemented on April 1, 2003. The document also discusses the emerging problem of youth gangs in Aboriginal communities and reports on dialogues between the Commission and youth in custody in various facilities throughout the province.

"This report lays the groundwork for future action as we strive to find ways of dealing with the issue of youth gangs," said Commission chair Willie Littlechild. "We have heard that youth gangs are active not only in the larger urban centres but are starting to appear on the reserves and more remote communities. This is an unacceptable trend that we must deal with."

Littlechild said the document will report on dialogues the five-member Commission has conducted throughout Saskatchewan, particularly in the North, where the Commission visited several communities including La Loche, Black Lake, Pelican Narrows and Meadow Lake.

This report contains a number of recommendations.

"We felt it was important to make recommendations at this stage rather than wait until our final report, simply because immediate action is required in some areas," Littlechild explained. "We have identified some problems that we feel need to be dealt with without further delay."

The interim report will be released on Friday, January 17 at a news conference to be held at 10:45 a.m. at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, 168 Wall Street in Saskatoon.

For Further Information Contact:

Warren Goulding
Director of Communications
Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform
(306) 964-1212 or (306) 227-4350