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Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AGASSIZ, BC, June 24, 2005 - Four offenders from the Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village, a federal minimum security institution, along with Circle of Eagles Lodge Society and Chehalis Indian Band, will be participating this year in the annual "RCMP Pulling Together" canoe journey.

"Kwa Kwem Tn" is one of approximately 14 canoes from various RCMP and local police departments that will journey down the Fraser River for the annual event.

The cross-cultural experience is intended to raise awareness for youth at risk. This year's journey is the first time that federal offenders from Kwìkwèxwelhp are participating in the community policing event. This has been achieved through the work of the RCMP, Circle of Eagles Lodge Society and Chehalis Indian Band.

Chief Alexander Paul, Chehalis Indian Band, sees this as a positive step in involving Kwìkwèxwelhp residents. "It is all in conjunction with the work Chehalis community is doing with CSC and Kwìkwèxwelhp; and it is good to see that the awareness of good corrections is spreading out into the general public. It sends a strong message that Kwìkwèxwelhp is doing a good job of engaging with the local Chehalis First Nations community. And, most importantly, engaging the residents of Kwìkwèxwelhp is providing an even greater opportunity for the incarcerated brothers to heal themselves and learn to become a worthy part of the larger community."

The journey will commence on June 26 at Harrison Lake, proceeding to Chehalis territory and other First Nation's communities, and concluding on Canada Day at Kwantlen First Nation, Langley.

Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village is a federally-operated, minimum security institution located approximately 37 kms west of Mission, BC. All offenders who live at the institution are rated as minimum security. There are 50 beds at the facility.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Rob Harrison
(604) 796-1668