Altona Echo reports of Floyd Wiebe's visit to W.C. Miller Collegiate

Floyd Wiebe's son TJ was brutally murdered at the tender age of 20. His heartfelt presentation at W.C. Miller encouraged students to think twice before using drugs.

Making sense out of a senseless act

Posted By Lori Penner

Floyd Wiebe has worn the same necklace for nearly seven years. It belonged to his son TJ. "It was a gift for his 18th birthday," Floyd says. "He was wearing it the day he died."

Investigating a homicide can take a long time, so it was months before the grieving father finally retrieved the precious piece of jewelry from the Winnipeg Forensics department. "It's one of the few things I have left of my son," Floyd says.

TJ Wiebe was brutally murdered on Jan. 5, 2003 at the tender age of 20. He was an accomplished, caring young man with a big heart and big dreams, but unfortunately, he was also involved in using and dealing drugs. It was this involvement which ultimately led to his death.

That cold January day, TJ was told he was going with two men to look at a stereo that was for sale. After driving south past the Perimeter Highway in Winnipeg, one of the men stabbed TJ with syringes filled with drain cleaner and lighter fluid. When this didn't kill him, they attempted to strangle him with a shoelace. They eventually drove to a secluded area between St. Adolphe and St. Agathe, where they dragged him from the car and stabbed him in the neck before jumping on his chest and leaving him to die in the frigid, minus 37 air.

While the murder essentially had to do with a love triangle, Floyd says it had more to do with his son's association with people who were involved with drugs. This past month during Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week, Floyd shared his son's story with the students of W.C. Miller. His hope is that giving the teens a graphic, personal view of where drugs can lead them will make them reconsider some of their choices.

He and his wife regularly speak to schools on behalf of a foundation they set up in their son's honour called TJ's Gift.
The foundation financially supports peer-led drug and gang counseling and also runs workshops designed to teach young people about the dangers of drug involvement. The family also holds gala fundraisers which continue to raise funds for drug awareness. It is their way to make some sense come out of a senseless act.

One of the things Floyd attempts to do is decry the notion that kids who do drugs are bad kids who come from bad homes. His son, he says, had everything going for him, and in fact had a great relationship with his parents.

The last words TJ said to them on the phone were, "Love you, kisses and hugs." Yet he still fell into the trap of drug use and dealing.

"Every person is confronted at some point in their life with drugs," Floyd told Miller students. "And what I hope you glean from this is what an important decision you make when you choose to either accept them or reject them."

Floyd has dedicated his life to helping kids keep away or escape from the drug culture. He has over 700 teens who regularly communicate with him on Facebook and his session at Miller drew many more. Many of the confidential messages he receives from the kids are cries for help.

"My goal is to make them think. When you light up a joint, you are financially supporting the agencies that killed my son. It has to be traced back to something. And you don't know if, for you, that drug will be a gateway to something stronger."

He hopes to make a difference so other parents don't have to endure the nightmare he and his family have endured. "I'm waiting for someone to come up to me 10 years from now and say this presentation changed their life. I know it will happen."

Karen Speaks at Elwick School

Today, Karen told TJ's story to Grades 5 & 6 students at Elwick School.

Floyd Speaks at Frontenac School

Today I spoke at Frontenac School telling TJ's story and talking to the kids about making better choices regarding drugs.

Floyd Speaks at the Leading Edge Networking Club

Marilyn & Russ Loewen asked me to speak to the Leading Edge Networking Club, a group of business people that get together to discuss leads and general business issues. They meet at the Waverley Dodge Dealership in the Auto Mall.

Floyd Speaks at the Carleton Breakfast Club

Lori Nelson from the Department of Justice asked me to speak today to the Carleton Breakfast Club. The club is made up of a variety of people from many walks of life. They meet at The Manitoba Legislature.

Battle of the Bands Report

First Prize Winner of a 10 Hour Recording Session at Private Ear Recording is:

Black Jacket Armada. They hail from Sturgeon Heights Collegiate. 

Black Jacket Armada                                   

Matthew Hodgins

Dom Gibson

Ray Peters

Justin LeBlanc

Lucas Wichenko

Second Prize Winner of a $500.00 Gift Certificate from Long & McQuade is:

SOMA. They are from College Jeanne Sauve.

SOMA

Justin Delorme

Julien Riel

Mario Lagasse

Jordan Waters

Stephen Kurz

Third Prize Winner of a $500.00 Gift Certificate from Long & McQuade is:

Coalition. They are from JH Bruns Collegiate.

Coalition

Weston Walker

Colin Walker

Zane Zinkiewicz

Sylvanna Luong

Liam Naughten

Here are the other 4 GREAT BANDS!

Blame The Television

Jared Kist

Jordan Waters

Zak Pion

Tyler Kotowski

Sacred Iron Crypt (S.I.C)                                   

Dan Waycik                                                           

Myles Mayo Tarvis

DJ Willison                                                           

Brendan Murphy                                               

Tom Blicq                                                           

Dylan Copeland

Random Heroes

Clinton Wazny

Jason Marks

Logan Helbig

Garrett Fache

Sean Donnelly

Victor Johnson

Adam Larson

Spencer Briercliffe

Spencer Pries

After the 7 bands were done, we had two Special Performances by InHumane Rampage and Maximum  SIXTY. 

OUR MC was Dave Wheeler from Power 97 and our celebrity list of judges were Ace Burpee and Bubba B from HOT 103, Chad Wiebe, my son and TJ's Bro, and Steve Crooks from Dreadnaut. They formed a great team and really had fun and made it fun for the rest of us.

The Battle of the bands was a 150% success. I cant think of anything to improve upon. The kids were amazing. The major accomplishment was the fact that the 35 kids from the 7 bands were so pumped, stoked, (that means excited for you old guys...lol) of being there. We were told by many that this was the best organized Battle they had ever been involved in. Blake Houston and Braydon Cullins from InHumane Rampage were so great at helping us organize this concert. They had fantastic ideas and we really enjoyed working with them. Thanks guys!

About 300 people showed up, and we even had our own Mosh PIT, thanks to Sacred Iron Crypt starting the night with some awesome chest pounding rock!

The Winnipeg Media was amazing!

Winnipeg Sun's Lawrie Mustard did a plug in his paper before the show with a picture of my son Chad Wiebe wearing a Battle of the Bands T Shirt. He also did an great interview with me that is online at Sun Speaks! Thanks to Laurie and Publisher Kevin Klein who also attends our gala.

CTV showed up before the show and did an intro news piece with Karen on the 5:30 news and came back again when the concert was on and did another news piece with Floyd on the 11:30 news. They interviewed Justin Delorme from SOMA but unfortunately ended up on the cutting room floor. Susan Tymofichuk, CTV news anchor interviewed me a lot during our trials, and I know she helped make this happen. Thank you Susan and  CTV! 

Winnipeg Free Press reporter Jennifer Pawluk also did a great article, and sent a photog to publish a great picture of Sacred Iron Crypt, the first performing band. Thanks to Margo Goodhand, the Free Press Editor, who comes to our gala for sending out a reporter.

This was funny, upon seeing the Garrick's Marquee, Look at what Stacey Wiebe's boyfriend Lynndon Novak and one of the band members from Blame The Television said:

Tyler Kotowski

awesome! now we can all say we were on a marquee with stereos and gwar haha

Yesterday at 3:36pm · Delete

Floyd Wiebe

Yup u can!

Yesterday at 3:37pm · Delete

Lynndon Novak

The same marquee as Gwar!
Now thats a life time accomplishment if I've ever seen one

GWAR is  a Grammy Award-nominated thrash metal band & STEREOS is an Edmonton band that got its big break on Much Music’s reality show “DisBAND”.

So this event certainly spread the word as to who we are and what we do. It will be even bigger next year! 

Selkirk Journal covers my speaking engagement on front page.

‘Don’t ever forget this story’

Posted By Hayley Brigg

Posted 1 day ago

It was a difficult story to tell, but Floyd Wiebe got through it, and his message was more than received.

The Winnipeg man visited the Comp on Tuesday as a guest speaker during the school's annual Addictions Awareness Week program to talk to students, and share with them his own personal tragedy of losing his son to the world of drugs.
"Most speakers want to be here, they want to come to schools and talk with you guys, but I don't want to be here," Wiebe told a packed theater of Grade 10 and 11 students. "I know that's kind of rude but I'd rather not be here, because something very sad happened for me to be here."
In 2003 at the age of 20, Wiebe's eldest son TJ was brutally murdered by two men, Anthony Pulsifer and Chad Handsor, at the request of another man who was a minor at the time of the murder, simply because he didn't like the fact that TJ was close with his girlfriend.
Students listened intently as Wiebe described the events leading up to his son's death and how Pulsifer and Handsor, two people TJ possibly considered friends or acquaintances, lured him to Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway under the pretense of purchasing a car stereo.
After severely beating TJ and strangling him with a shoelace, the pair slashed TJ's throat and stabbed him twice in the neck before leaving him to die along a deserted farm road between St. Adolphe and St. Agathe.
During the attack, the men also attempted to kill TJ by injecting him with syringes filled with drain cleaner and lighter fluid.
"It was an idea (the minor who issued the murder) got from a Val Kilmer movie," Wiebe told students.
During his presentation, Wiebe chronicled TJ's early life and how once he became a teenager, he began experimenting with drugs and eventually became addicted to and began dealing methamphetamine with the minor who ordered his murder, a decision that ultimately cost him his life.
"I don't want anyone to forget this story, and I don't want anyone to leave here thinking that something like this will never happen to them, because that's what TJ thought," said Wiebe. "People will do anything to anyone when they're involved with drugs."
Wiebe spoke twice on Tuesday, once in the morning and again in the afternoon for Grade 12 students, and ended his presentation with a short video that depicted TJ's sadly short life in photos.

"I hope you guys make good decisions in life, because that will mean everything to TJ, and it will mean everything to me," Wiebe concluded.

Stacey Herda was one of many Comp students who had the opportunity to hear Wiebe speak, and says she was impacted by his story.
"I really enjoyed his presentation, it was really down to earth and it was a real story, not just someone standing there and saying 'don't do drugs'," said the Grade 12 student.
Herda says she believes Wiebe's message that drugs are a problem that can happen to anyone, regardless of their social situation or home life, hit students the hardest.
"I've had the chance to talk to a lot of people about the presentation, and many of them had a good reaction," said Herda.
"I think it's a good story for the students to hear because we all know these things do go on, and I'm sure we all know some people who are in that same situation."
She adds that she thinks targeting highschool kids to deliver the message that drugs are dangerous is a smart choice, saying the pressures teens face can lead to poor decision making.
"Just thinking about the move from junior high to high school, it's a really drastic change," said Herda. "Everyone starts falling into different places and making different friends, and I think the stress of that along with schoolwork can act as a trigger (for substance abuse problems)."
Herda is also one of a group of students who have been helping to organize and put on the Addictions Awareness Week. She introduced Wiebe to students before his presentation, and encouraged them afterwards to take his message to heart and share it with others.
A member of student council, Herda says when she was approached to help out with the awareness week, she was initially hesitant, thinking the message wasn't going to be effective.
"I didn't really want to be involved at first, because I thought it was going to be the same 'just don't do drugs' message that we hear all the time," said Herda.
"But I got a chance to go and see what some other schools were doing and hear Floyd (Wiebe) speak, and it was really interesting, it really opened my eyes."
Though she is graduating this year, Herda says she plans to continue participating in addictions awareness events, and has even inquired about helping out with the foundation the Wiebe family has set up in TJ's memory – TJ's Gift.
Jan Harris, the Comp's resident Addictions Foundation of Manitoba Youth Counsellor, says although there is no magic formula to ensure kids don't go down the same road as TJ Wiebe, she encourages parents to be open with their kids, and maintain a channel of communication.
"The most important thing you can do to try and get your kids to stay away from substance abuse and addiction is to talk to them," said Harris.
"Let them know what you expect from them, and that you expect them not to get involved with drugs. Let them know you are there, and that you can be a resource for them if they need someone, or are in a difficult situation."
She also suggests parents go through hypothetical situations with their kids, to help them know how to make the right decisions if they're faced with a problem.
"Talk about different scenarios and ask them what they would do, and how would they handle that," Harris said.
"Then you can discuss those situations together and hopefully, if they ever come across that problem, they'll make the right choice."
For more information about addictions resources or TJ's story and his foundation, visit www.afm.mb.ca or www.tjsgift.com.

Winnipeg Sun "Sun Speaks" Interview with Floyd Wiebe about our Battle of the Bands.

Just click here to listen.

Floyd Speaks to Marion School

Today, I was invited back to speak to the Grade 7 & 8 students at Marion School. Even though I had spoken to this same group of kids a year ago, the teachers invited me back to speak once again, telling TJ's Story. It was great, many of them hugging me as I entered and left the room. These kids really wanted to hear the story again. Its so great that this happens as it constantly reminds them to make good choices.

Selkirk Journal's Pre-Story of Floyd's visit to Selkirk Comp School

 

Powerful message coming to Comp

Powerful message coming to Comp

Posted By John Towns

TJ Wiebe was, by all accounts, a bright and caring 20-year-old man who unfortunately was also involved in using and dealing drugs – a pursuit which ultimately cost him his life.

On Jan. 5, 2003, TJ was told that he was driving with two men, Anthony Pulsifer and Chad Handsor, to look at a car stereo that one of their uncles had for sale. After driving south past Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway, Pulsifer began stabbing TJ with syringes filled with drain cleaner and lighter fluid.
When this did not kill TJ immediately, Pulsifer removed a shoelace from one of his shoes and began strangling TJ with it, dragging him from the front to the back seat of the car. TJ lay in the back seat, occasionally gasping for breath as Handsor and Pulsifer drove to a secluded area between St. Adolphe and St. Agathe, where they dragged the still alive TJ from the car and proceeded to stab him twice in the neck before jumping on his chest and leaving him to die by the side of the road.
According to testimony given by Pulsifer and Handsor after their arrest later in 2003, they murdered TJ at the behest of another man, a minor at the time of the murder, who did not like the fact that TJ was close friends with his girlfriend.
"A lot of people, before they hear TJ's story, would just assume that he was just a drug dealer who did something bad to another drug dealer," said TJ's father, Floyd Wiebe. "But really, he was murdered because of essentially a love triangle, and it had more to do with the people he associated with as a result of being involved in drugs."
This Tuesday, Wiebe will be speaking to students at the Comp about his son TJ and the dangers of being involved in drugs as part of Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week, which runs from Nov. 15 - 21.
Wiebe and his wife Karen regularly speak to schools across the province on behalf of a foundation they set up in memory of TJ called TJ's Gift. The foundation, which was formed by the Wiebe family in the aftermath of TJ's death, financially supports peer-led drug and gang counselling across the province, and also runs workshops designed to teach young people about the dangers of getting involved in drugs and drug culture.
"I guess you could say the foundation was almost formed right at the funeral," said Wiebe. "We just collected donations in lieu of flowers, and by the end of that first little while, we were sitting with $4,000 that we weren't sure what to do with."
The family decided to put the money toward warning young people about the dangers of getting involved in drugs in an attempt to spare other families from having to endure the devastation of losing a loved one to violent crime. To continue to raise funds, they hold annual gala fundraisers, the latest of which raised over $50,000 last May.
Wiebe says he hopes when he makes his presentation on the 17th that students are able to take some valuable insight away and maybe make decisions that they would not have otherwise made.
"What I hope for, every time, is that TJ's story is able to connect with the kids. Because it's a true story, and it shows the consequences of not just doing drugs, but even just getting involved with the wrong types of people. It's a lot more effective than just saying 'don't do drugs,'" he said.

Battle of the Bands

Tonight at Dakota Collegiate's Theatre we have a semi final Battle. SOMA from College Jeanne Sauve, along with Ryan Lindsay from JH Bruns High School along with The Butterscotch Boys, also from JH Bruns High School will be battling it out to see who moves on to the GRAND BATTLE on Nov. 29th at the Garrick Centre. Tickets for tonight are only $2.00. Starts at 6:30. Be There!

Speaking Engagement at Rene Deleurme Centre

Today I spoke to a great group of kids in the Transitions For Success program. They are very attentive, and had some great conversations with some of the kids afterward. This is my 5th time speaking to kids in this program.

Murderer Anthony Pulsifer transferred to Grande Cache Institution. Here are the updates as to where Chad Handsor and Dominic Urichen are.

On November 9th, 2009, Anthony Pulsifer was transferred to Grande Cache Institution in AB. It is a medium-security facility located in Grande Cache AB.

Chad Handsor is in the Mountain Institution in Agassiz, BC. It is a medium-security facility located in Agassiz, British Columbia.

Dominic Urichen is in the Saskatchewan Penitentiary, Regional Psychiatric Centre. It is a medium security facility located in Prince Albert, SK

Battle of the Bands

Well the TJ's Gift Foundation's Battle of the Bands is underway. Click this link to see all the great videos I took of the preliminary rounds.

FINAL BATTLE - November 29th

Garrick Centre

Tickets available at the door for $10.00

Our MC for the evening is Dave Wheeler from Power 97.

Ace Burpee & Bubba B from HOT 103

are among our celebrity judges!

PRIZES

1st place - 10-hour recording opportunity with the recording studio, Private Ear Recording.

2nd place - $500.00 gift certificate

supplied by Long & McQuade Music Store

3rd place - $100.00 gift certificate

supplied by Long & McQuade Music Store.

Winnipeg Sun covers Soaring Eagles Conference

CONFERENCE INSPIRES YOUTH

Soaring Eagles Conference "review," courtesy of Karen Wiebe:

"Eighty-four high school students from Northern Manitoba gathered at the Canad Inns Fort Garry last week to learn more about the dangers of drugs and gangs; and positive peer pressure through leadership and peer monitoring.

"The conference, sponsored by the TJ's Gift Foundation, brought students in to Winnipeg for the two-day event, where they attended presentations by keynote speakers including Michael Champagne and Corey Cook, the RCMP, the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, local drama coaches and artists, Teen Talk, Manitoba Hydro, and Resource Assistance for Youth, all to promote their own abilities as well as to support their friends in saying 'No!' to involvement in drugs and gangs.

"Students have returned home where they'll contact each other via a private networking site to share information about situational challenges, find resources for problems, and helpful links.

"TJ's Gift Foundation funds student-led drug education programs with youth across Manitoba. Each year, the foundation hosts a fundraising dinner and dance at Canad Inns Polo Park where approximately $150,000 has been raised to date. The next gala happens May 13. Tickets are available by calling 228-2540, or visiting the TJ's Gift website at tjsgift.com."

It's never too early to invest in our youth, folks. Book it.

Winnipeg Free Press covers Soaring Eagles Conference

Teen's legacy soars during city conference

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kimbi Chartrand,

 18, of Norway House/Skownan (left), and Corey Cook, 16, of 

Bloodvain are among 84 who painted mural during the conference.

The tragic death of T.J. Wiebe has inspired his parents to help other Manitoba youths.

Karen and Floyd Wiebe, whose son was murdered in 2003, brought 84 students from northern Manitoba to a leadership and drug education conference this week called Soaring Eagles.

The couple said no family should go through the devastation of losing a child through violence, so their goal is to help enrich the lives of other young people and prevent them from making potentially negative decisions.

"We wanted to reach the youth from more remote communities in order to help them learn," Floyd Wiebe said. "They can then return to their communities and make positive contributions."

The conference was held earlier this week at Canad Inns Fort Garry.

T.J. Wiebe was just 20 and battling a serious drug problem that ultimately cost him his life. He was lured by a group of drug associates outside the city and killed in January 2003.

His parents didn't want their son's death to be in vain, so they created a foundation called T.J.'s Gift to keep his memory alive.

That growing fund has allowed 84 students from the north -- primarily aboriginal kids -- to visit Winnipeg to learn about leadership, mentorship and gang and drug awareness.

The kids were encouraged to remain drug-free and steer clear of gangs, and were asked to teach what they had learned to other students when they get home.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' punter Troy Westwood was one of several inspirational speakers at the conference. (Editor's Note: Troy Westwood was unavailable for the conference) There were also entertainers, workshops and the opportunity for participants to meet privately with elders and police for guidance.

Now that the conference in over, the Wiebes have set up a communication network for additional support when students return home.

"This is something Manitobans need to hear about," Floyd Wiebe said. "These kids are trying to learn about their future as leaders. They want themselves and their peers to make good choices."

eva.cohen@freepress.mb.ca

NOTE: Troy Westwood did not actually attend the conference. BUt the author didn't know that when she wrote the article.

Floyd speaks at Southeast Collegiate

Today I spoke at Southeast Collegiate. About 130 students gathered in the gym to hear TJ's story. At the end of my presentation, Angela Busch introduced a student named Aaron Bittern. Aaron had done a pencil sketch of a variety of photographs that Angela had asked me for without telling me what they were to be used for. When Aaron presented the framed art work to me, I literally burst into tears. Aaron had done an incredible job of composing the photographs into a montage. WOW!

Brandon Speaking Engagement

Karen and Floyd Wiebe are traveling to Brandon to speak to parents at the "Parents Care - Know the Risks" at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School sponsored by Brandon School Division / Parent Liaison Committee.

The speaker before us is Reverend Dale Lang of Tabor AB. Mr. Lang is the father of Jason Lang, who was shot and killed by a schoolmate at his Taber, Alberta, high school in April 1999.

Here is the clipping from their local website...

Speaking Engagement in Pilot Mound

Today I spoke to high school kids from the Spirit School Division's Pilot Mound High School. It was in the Rock Lake Christian Enrichment Center. These students were attending an amazing workshop on life skills and I was invited to share TJ's story. They were an amazing group of kids.

Official Press Release - GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents

GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents is a GO!

Well just a few days after my visit to the Western Canadian Justice Minister's Conference, came news that the Manitoba Government is funding my new initiative, GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents. I am so honoured that they have chosen to fund this incredible grassroots organization. Now its off to work!

Another tragedy... and my interview in the Winnipeg Sun

Western Canadian Minister's Conference

Today I was invited to speak at the Western Canadian Justice Minister's Conference in Saskatoon. Manitoba Justice Minister Dave Chomiak invited me to speak about my new initiative, GAP - Gang Awareness for Parents.

I spoke from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, and the reception form the four governments could not have been better! Now I can only hope to get GAP off the ground. In other words, GAP needs funding!

Soaring Eagles Conference Program

Here is the Soaring Eagles Conference Program

Soaring Eagles Conference program.pdf

Soaring Eagles Brochure

Here is the Soaring Eagles Brochure

Soaring Eagles 8.5 X 11 Brochure 2_11x8.5tfb.qxd.pdf

Soaring Eagles Conference Registration Form

Here is the Soaring Eagles Conference Registration Form

Soaring Eagles Conference Registration Form_Layout 1.pdf

Karen is having surgery today.

Just left Karen in the surgery ward... AGAIN... It seems it never quits. If people only really knew how devastating this all is, and it's long term effects.

Concert

Bubba B from "HOT 103FM", Mayor Sam Katz, Karen Wiebe and Floyd Wiebe
pose after a successful meeting for an incredible October 27th
concert. Stay tuned!

Our New Booth!

We are very proud to spread awareness of our Foundation throughout
Winnipeg. Doesn't it look great?

Hello Everyone!

The Foundation will be having a booth at St. Vital Centre from Aug 31 - Sept 4 near the Sears store. Please come and visit us!

We are hoping that this will bring awareness to thousands of kids, teachers and parents about what the Foundation does.

We have just purchased a booth and a banner and it really looks GREAT!

Floyd Wiebe

Ecole Julie Riel

Yesterday I spoke at Ecole Julie Riel, one of the schoold TJ went to. Kelsey Lafreniere asked me to speak to about 100 kids at her school. Her sister Stacey was the keynote speaker at the 2009 Gala.

St. Emile School

Yesterday I spoke at St. Smile School to 110 Grade 5-8 students.

...Sent from Floyd's iPhone

Karen spoke at Windsor Park Collegiate Today

While I was traveling up north, Karen spoke to the students at Windsor Park Collegiate.

Floyd flies up to St. Theresa's Point.

Well I just got off the RCMP plane and helicopter from St. Theresa Point. 
The MKO Northern Manitoba Chiefs were all meeting for a conference called Chiefs General Assembly on Illicit Use of Drugs & Associated Gang Activity.

I spoke to the general assembly this afternoon about the TJ's Gift Foundation's Soaring Eagles Conference in September.

After my presentation, the entire room gave me a standing ovation and each Chief in the room including Grand Chief Ron Evans and Grand Chief Dr. Sydney Garrioch came over to the podium shook my hand and gave me a huge hug. Stu Evans, the RCMP that was with me said that he had never witnessed anything like that before.

I never expected this at all. It was simply amazing. I know that they will all be sending their children to our conference.

Chief Ron Evans pulled me aside and told me that he wants to work closely with me.

Very exciting...

Lavallee School

I have spoken at Lavallee School many times and today I will once
again. Today I am speaking to the Transisitions To Success Progam
students.

...Sent from Floyd's iPhone

Marion School

Today I spoke to Grades 4-8 at Marion School. I've never spoken to
such young kids as this but I didn't change anything at all. They also
needed to hear how bad things can get. They were however full of
questions.

West Kildonan Collegiate

Just left WKC after speaking about the legal system. Also spoke about
how simple decisions can affect the rest of their lives, even murder.

Speaking to Law Class

I am speaking to West Kildonan Collegiate students today. The Law class teacher asked me to speak to his students about my experiences in the legal system. Considering I spent 11 months in court, I have a lot of experience, unfortunately. 11 months, Monday to Friday... This was spread out over a period of three years mind you, but still mind boggling...

More great and powerful quotes from kids...

These are just some of the powerful statements I get from kids after one of my presentations...

1. Hi Floyd, I'm a student from Sisler Highschool. I'd just like to say that was an amazing message you got through to me, and the other students. It was an amazing speech, but it's sad that you had to use your son as an example of such a horrid event. After hearing what you and your family had to go through because of this, I NEVER want to do any drugs under any circumstance. I understand it was hard to talk about, but thank you so much for coming to sisler and telling us about it. Im sure it made students not want to do drugs, or if people have been using or selling drugs, im quite sure they are having second thoughts. Once again, thank you Floyd.

2. I go to St. Pauls Collegiate in Elie, 

I really love your speech and what you had to say. 
it was soooo inspiring, and i know alot of my friends thought so too! 
thanks agaain! (:

3. hey your story about T.J. really touched me and your really cool :D

4. The story you told us grade 9's today was truely inspiring. Your story hit me hard, and I soon hope to i can help my friends in need of help.

5. You probably hear this a lot but your story made me cry like 4 times, I saw the presentation twice, and it made me cry both times. It really touched me. I have some friends that do drugs, well not really friends we used to be untill they started using and I just wanted to ask how do I explain to them that using is just as bad as selling ? I really miss them I know they're way better then that they're real smart kids, and I really want to help them out, just reply when you get the chance.  Thanks so much for sharing the story. 

6. A Facebook Status: Listened to a guy talk about how drugs killed his son. It was an inspiring speach...

Speaking At Sisler High School today with Adapt Campaign

Once again the Adapt Campaign has asked me to speak at one of their campaigns against crystal meth. Fresh IE will be performing before me and I will tell TJ's story to the students.

West Kildonan Collegiate - Student's comments - AMAZING

I am going to publish some of the great comments the kids made to me via Facebook or emails or verbally. They are amazing.

1. "When you said " When you buy a drug, your helping kill another human" It hit me, and I used it on one of my friends because I am really against pot ect. And anyone I hang around with does it. You know how the skateboarders are. Either way good kids, but I kept calling my friend a murderer and he said "I know, I wish I could stop, its just the kids I hang around with" So I hope that knocked some sense into him."

2. "id just like to say thanks for coming to our school that your speach was amazing, all my friends were talking about "T.J's story". one boy in my class asked what T.J's story was...and everybodys answer was the same "you trully have to be there and hear it to understand it " well thanks for coming once again and T.J's story really helped me to see how bad you get get in to drugs. p.s keep it up and im sure at least one or two or even more people in my school have been motavated to change there ways because nobody not even you should have to go through what you did. so all i have to say now is plz keep doing what you are doing!!!"

3. " I also wanted to inform you that one of my friends who is a major marijuana user is trying to quit after hearing your story. I just thought I should let you know that you are making a difference by telling his story, no matter how difficult it may be. "

4. "I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak to us today what you do is an amazing thing and i wish you and your family the best"

5. "A lot of the people around me still do use drugs. After your presentation today, however, they've taken a step back to look at the whole perspective of things! You really are a brave and strong man to be able to go in front of large crowds and talk about your son like that. I would have never had the strength to do so."

6."I really enjoyed your speech today in the afternoon, it takes some big guts to tell everyone about what happened to your son and what horrible things that go on in this world, its scary. Keep Moving forward with everything your doing, to help with drug related problems that we have in this world!!! I for sure will, I have never been involved with drugs or even tried it and your story is going to be the reason why I will never do drugs in my life. One of the better role models i know now :D"

7. "Thank you so much for comming to West K; the story of your son && the drug dealing may have just helped another life, i know someone who plans on dealing, i mean, nothing big, just weed, but now i know that i will need to convince him that is NOT a good idea. "