While winter did return for one last grasp over the weekend, spring is already in bloom for Parkland Restorative Justice.
The faith-based charitable organization is hosting its second annual Spring Banquet in the Woods to help raise funds for their two main programs, which help inmates at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary reintegrate back into the community upon release.
Aboriginal Order of Canada Recipient Jorgina Sunn is scheduled to be the guest speaker for this year’s event, which has organizers pleased and excited.
“She’s a very dynamic and engaging speaker, and she’s a musician as well,” Parkland Restorative Justice director Heather Driedger explained. “Not only does she have a talent for sharing her story, she’s very captivating in terms of presenting her narrative.”
Sunn is a former gang-member herself. She spent several years living homeless on the streets of Calgary, before being convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to six-months in a healing lodge.
These days, Sunn lives in Saskatoon, where she helps people trying to escape from the gang lifestyle.
Driedger said Sunn is an ideal guest to speak about the challenges faced by inmates trying to leave their old life behind.
For the rest of this story, please see the April 18 online or print edition of the Daily Herald.
