Former Saskatoon gang member walking to end domestic violence
Chris Moyah's turning point came last year when he was invited to a ceremony by an elder
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 says he 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 I gotta be a better spouse.- Chris Moyah
"That's where I saw my life 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 at the time," he said. "That's where I realized I gotta be 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 Saskatoon to Wakaw. 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 be embarrassed of it, ashamed of it," Faith Eagle, a former gang member who has come to know Moyah and 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 him for 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
Moyah says 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 started to 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 gang only escalated the violence.
Moyah added he has not met his child nor reconciled with his ex-partner.
He said he 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.