Yellowknife (Nov 10/04) - Five years after his 17-year-old son was gunned down at his high school in Taber, Alta., his father's message of hope and forgiveness is as powerful as ever.

As Reverend Dale Lang wrapped up one of many presentations he made during last week's visit to Yellowknife, St. Patrick high school students were vowing to make changes to their own lives, thanks to his pleas.

Jason Lang and Shane Christmas were shot by a 14-year-old classmate who had been victimized bullying.

The Taber shootings happened a week after two teenagers shot 12 students and one teacher at Columbine high school in Colorado. "I realize that it could happen to some of my friends," said Grade 9 student Lindsay White.

She and friend Jennifer Smith vowed to be nicer to those around them and be more aware of the importance of each day.

"I never want to leave my house being mad at my mom and dad again," said Smith after hearing of Lang's last morning with his son the day he died.

Others approached Lang shyly after the hour-long talk to tell him how his story impacted them.

Savannah Patrick was living in Lethbridge, southwest of Taber, when the shooting occurred. "It changed our whole school drastically," said Patrick, who now lives in Yellowknife.

It took Dale Lang's speech to bring the event of five years ago to the forefront of her mind again. The Grade 12 student thanked him for the reminder.

The Yellowknife Ministerial Association asked Lang to visit the North to speak to students, congregations and the general public from Nov. 2-7.

Lang has been travelling the country doing 200-250 speeches a year since his son's death, but still lives and ministers in Taber. "It has brought a lot of meaning out of my son's senseless death," he said.

Lang spreads the message of forgiveness, modelled on his and wife Diane's public forgiveness of the 14-year-old shooter before the memorial of their son in 1999.

"I think it has the possibility of changing some lives and that's good," said Lang after his audience dispersed.

The Reverend presented to both high schools in Yellowknife, as well as various churches in town. A meeting at the Salvation Army was open to the general public Nov. 4 as well.