Former Saskatoon gang member walking to end domestic violence

In the spring of 2014, Chris Moyah a former gang member was walking around Saskatoon looking for help with his life.

His partner, who was pregnant, had just left him to get away from his abusive behaviour.

Looking back on that time, Moyah sayshe was down and out.

"I came across a First Nations elder," he recalled. "And I overheard them talking about doing a ceremony. So I asked to get involved."

That led to an invitation to the ceremony and Moyah got a ride from a friend of the elder.

The trip, he says now, was a turning point.

"I started to break down and cry," Moyah said. "He asked if I was ever in a gang and he gave me a card for this organization, STR8 UP." In time, Moyah called and began meeting people from the organization, which helps young men and women liberate themselves from street gangs.

One presentation, hosted by STR8 UP, was particularly moving.

I realized Igottabe a better spouse.- Chris Moyah

"That's where I saw mylife right before my eyes," Moyah said. When the subject turned to pregnant women, Moyah said he realized how his past behaviour had an impact on his partner.

"I started to realise that I wasn't giving [support] to my spouse atthe time," he said. "That's where I realized I gottabe a better spouse."

Since then he has stayed committed to the organization as he works to unravel the roots of his anger and make changes to his life.

Long walks are part of that. He recently walked 90 kilometres from SaskatoontoWakaw. He says the walks are a way for him to draw attention to domestic violence.

Support of other ex-gang members

Moyah has also found support from other people who have left gangs.

"Some people might beembarrassedof it, ashamed of it," FaithEagle, a former gang member who has come to know Moyahand his abusive past, said.

Eagle notes that few men would want others to know about their acts of domestic violence.

"When you learn that you can heal that you don't have to walk in that shame anymore then it's a whole different point of view," Eagle said.

Eagle admits that, initially, she was wary of Moyah, and skeptical about the changes he spoke of. After knowing himfor about a year, she said she is proud to see a Cree man speak out about domestic violence.

"What he says he's going to do, he does it," Eagle said, noting Moyah's determination with his solo walks and fund raising.

History of anger

Moyahsays he continues to untangle his history and notes how he has struggled with anger since his youth. He has turned to alcohol in the past but quit drinking almost two years ago.

"I startedto lash out on society, on family, on friends anybody," he said. "I just gave up trying and stopped caring."

I used to be so loving and generous.- Chris Moyah

He said joining a gangonly escalated the violence.

"I just went careless and I just started to hurt innocent people and people who loved me like my son's mom," he said.

Moyah added he has not met hischild nor reconciled with his ex-partner.

He saidhe thinks about them when he walks and ponders how he might repair the relationship.

"I used to be so loving and generous," he said. "I'm hoping to unlock some of those old things, some of those old habits."

Before he embarks on another walk Moyah is raising money at a barbecue set for Thursday. Money from the event will help cover expenses for the next leg of his walk, from Wakaw to Melfort.