Definitely Not the Opera

What happened when you were forced to intervene?

Every so often, we have to inject ourselves into a conflict and intervene. Sometimes it ends well. Other times, it gets messy. This week, DNTO examines what happens when we stick ourselves in the middle...
A dramatic intervention in Winnipeg's North End (see video below)

Have you ever joked that someone needs an intervention? Sometimes, getting involved can be really simple. Other times, inserting yourself into a conflict can have serious implications...

The late Bruce Oake (left) with his dad, Scott
When Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Oake discovered his son, Bruce, had a serious drug addiction, he intervened to help out. Scott and his family quickly discovered it wouldn't be a quick fix. Now, they're raising money to help other addicts

From trying to convince your pothead pal not to light up, to intervening when your best bud wants to lunge at cops with a knife, Sook-Yin Lee finds out what happened when you tried to stop someone from doing something. 

As resident minister at a funeral home, Rick Bergh performed many types of services for many different folks. When a Hell's Angel member died, the funeral came with a warning from RCMP that they might have to intervene.

Gertrude Hambira, who fled Zimbabwe for Winnipeg (Sandra Thacker, DNTO)
One day, Gertrude Hambira was advocating for the rights of farm workers in Zimbabwe. The next day, she was fleeing for her life. It all started with a documentary film called House of Justice.

As a social experiment, Sook-Yin Lee takes the most annoying noisemaker she can find -- a plastic recorder--- and plays it for as long and loud as she can in a mall. Will anyone stop her? Find out just how tolerant Canadians are.

Vanessa Delsooz got rescued at a bus stop after a late night gig in an unexpected way by the last person she'd expect to come to her aid.

Clyford Sinclair, former Northern Manitoba band constable
We often hear about child welfare workers who apprehend kids from their homes. But what really happens after authorities knock on the door? One night in Northern Manitoba, Clyford Sinclair learned the gut-wrenching answer.

When Alison Masemann's son was being teased at school, she wasn't sure if she should intervene. So she checked in with parenting expert Alyson Schafer, who gave advice and recommended resources for moms and dads.

Bill Ayotte receives the Star of Courage from Governor General David Johnston
Bill Ayotte has lived his whole life in the area of Churchill, Manitoba. In 2013, he was watching TV when he heard screams. Moments later, Bill was face to face with a polar bear that was attacking a young waitress. Once Erin Greene was freed, the bear started mauling Bill. 

Sean Power was a little bit frustrated when he took to Twitter to vent about his stolen laptop. Little did he know that one tweet would prompt a few of his followers to act.  

Winnipeg artist and grandmother Jackie Traverse made headlines when she created a whole new kind of intervention last month, combining Facebook and traditional drumming to coax her niece out of a suspected crack house. Watch the video below:

RAW VIDEO: Family unable to draw woman with drug addiction away from troubled North End home

10 years ago
Duration 1:58
The family of a 25-year-old Winnipeg woman drummed in front of homes in the North End The family of a 25-year-old Shanastene McLeod drummed in front of homes in the North End Tuesday night, hoping to convince her to leave a life of drugs and come home to safety. They managed to coax her from the home, but after greeting everybody, McLeod ultimately refused to leave with her family.