In Winnipeg’s north end, a tattoo across Billie Kozub’s forehead stands as a permanent reminder of a troubled past filled with gang violence and addiction — a life she desperately wants to leave behind.
“I really want to change my life, but every time I look in the mirror, I just see the old me,” Kozub shared with APTN Investigates. “When people see a face tattoo, they immediately wonder who you’re affiliated with or if you’re trouble.”
For years, Kozub has used makeup to hide the gang-affiliated tattoo that reads “Savage Diamond.” Now, as a 42-year-old mother of two, she is working as a housing support worker at Wahbung Abinoonjiiag, a non-profit in Winnipeg that offers safe spaces for people to access community support.
It’s a new chapter for Kozub, who had spent much of her life in and out of jail. “I love it. I’m doing community outreach and helping people who need support,” she said, reflecting on her new role.
Growing up in Winnipeg’s north end, Kozub’s journey into the world of gangs began when she was just 12 years old. Lured by the allure of older men with flashy cars and booming music, she was drawn into a lifestyle that led to crime. At 13, she recalls being tasked with removing shotguns from an attic and storing them in a pillowcase.
What seemed reckless at the time has since become a stark reminder of a life built on a need for belonging. “I had problems fitting in at home,” Kozub explained, explaining the racial tensions she faced as the daughter of a white Ukrainian father and an Aboriginal mother. “I didn’t belong in either household, so I sought out something that felt like family.”
Kozub’s turning point came in 2022 when she was charged with accessory to murder and aggravated assault, a crime that left her ashamed and embarrassed. It was a moment that would ultimately inspire her to change her life.
Breaking the Cycle of Gang Life
Indigenous women like Kozub remain significantly overrepresented in Canada’s criminal justice system, often joining gangs as a means of seeking acceptance and protection. Kozub, however, is defying this cycle through tattoo removal — a process that symbolizes her decision to leave her past behind.
Kozub regularly visits Mother Ink, a tattoo removal project founded by Della Steinke. Funded by the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba, Mother Ink offers free tattoo removal services to individuals exiting gang life or those trying to escape cycles of violence. Steinke even takes her tattoo removal machine to correctional facilities, where inmates preparing for release can begin the process. The project is unique in North America.
According to Steinke, 90% of her clients are Indigenous, and many are motivated by a desire to shed the visible markers of their past. “I’ve heard it time and time again from female clients: ‘I didn’t choose these tattoos,’” Steinke said.
For Kozub, the tattoo removal process is more than just physical — it represents shedding the skin of her former life. “It’s kind of like shedding snake skin; I’m leaving that lifestyle behind,” she shared.
The Healing Journey: Stories from Other Clients
Michele Holmes, a 21-year-old client at Mother Ink, also knows the pain of living with tattoos that carry haunting memories. Holmes, who was never in a gang, has tattoos on her forearms that remind her of the sexual violence she endured. One tattoo, an upside-down cross between her eyebrows, has faded after several sessions of laser treatment.
“These are the ones I got through rape,” Holmes told Steinke during her latest visit. “I just want to get them removed.”
Holmes, now three years sober and working to regain custody of her child, has faced struggles similar to Kozub’s. Leaving her foster home at 17, she found herself immersed in a predatory street environment where she was “jumped” and beaten in a house on Winnipeg’s north end. The incident, which was filmed and later circulated on social media, marked a turning point in her life. “Choose your circle wisely,” she said. “They will influence you 100%.”
Challenges After Incarceration
For many women exiting the prison system, reintegration into society can be daunting. Kozub recalls being dropped off at a bus stop with nothing but a bus ticket and some change. “There’s no guidance once you’re out,” she said. “You’re just dropped off and that’s it. You’re on your own.”
Sarah Osborne, 39, who spent time in both provincial and federal prisons, also reflects on the challenges women face upon release. “A lot of the girls are like ‘I had nowhere to go’ so they go back to the last places they were at,” she explained. Osborne, convicted of manslaughter, took advantage of every program offered during her incarceration and is now continuing her education at Eternal Beauty Institute in Winnipeg.
Support Systems and the Need for Change
For many former inmates, support systems are minimal. A March 2025 report from Manitoba’s auditor general highlighted gaps in resources available to individuals transitioning from custody to the community. “There is little evidence of connecting inmates to outside resources,” the report stated.
Cathy Cook, executive director of Wahbung Abinoonjiiag, advocates for preventative measures and building relationships with inmates while they are still incarcerated. “We have to look at why those actions were performed,” she said, emphasizing the importance of understanding the root causes of crime.
In 2022, the Winnipeg Police Gang Prevention Unit launched a campaign to help youth escape gang life, spearheaded by Const. Michelle De Groot. Partnering with Mother Ink, the unit is helping to provide youth with the support they need to leave gangs behind. De Groot noted that many youth, especially those in custody, are eager for support and willing to overlook the fact that they’re being assisted by police officers.
Steinke, who works closely with De Groot, underscores the need for belonging that drives many individuals to gangs in the first place. “We’re all looking for a sense of belonging,” she said. “Whether the people we hang out with are doing good or bad, it still makes us feel like we’re part of a family.”
A New Path Forward
Kozub, now 16 months out of prison, has already made significant strides in rebuilding her life. She earned her high school diploma, gained custody of her son, and secured a full-time job. “Changing my life now, I feel like I can smile,” she said. “I’m being my true self. Before, I couldn’t be that person.”
Kozub’s journey highlights the power of support, redemption, and the possibility of change, even for those who once felt trapped in a cycle of violence and crime. With each tattoo removed, she is shedding not only her past but also the stigma that once defined her.
As these women seek to reclaim their futures, Mother Ink and other community-driven initiatives continue to offer the hope and resources needed to build lives beyond the scars of their past.
Related topics: