By Andrew de Souza

Community gathers to fight violence

Dec 27, 2010 | 4:25 PM

Residents from Pelican Narrows gathered together on Monday to take a stand against violence in the community after the alleged Christmas-day murder of a 63-year-old woman.

The death of Jean Ballantyne, who was alleged murdered by her own grandson, was just the latest instance of violence in the community, and the last straw before resident Mary Jane Michel decided to do something.

On Monday afternoon, at 2 p.m. Michel and dozens of people and vehicles held a walk against community violence. It began at the band office and traced its way around the community.

“We’re asking the leaders of this community to take action now,” said Michel. “With all these incidences that have been happening in the community, we just want them to do something about it rather than staying silent on the subjects.”

She added that it was important to walk around the community so that everyone, not just leaders, could be involved.

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“It’s going to take the whole community to start something, it cannot be only the leadership,” said Michelle. “Like they say, it takes a whole community and I feel it’s time we band together and try to do something about or situation here for the safety of community members.”

Jean Ballantyne, 63, was found dead outside her Pelican Narrows home by RCMP on Christmas Day. Her 20-year-old grandson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and will appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court on Dec. 29.

adesouza@panow.com

See related:

– Grandson charged in Pelican Narrows murder