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The Ballad of Danny Wolfe: Life of a Modern Outlaw
A gripping, fast-paced account of the life of the indigenous man who founded and led the Indian Posse, one of the most dangerous gangs in North America, into violence, power, and infamy.
In 2008, Daniel Richard Wolfe was awaiting trial on two counts of first-degree murder at the Regina Correctional Centre. This wasn't his first time in jail; from his teenage years his life had been marked by stints in and out of prison – with Danny sometimes finding his own way out. This time around, he was orchestrating his boldest move a carefully plotted escape that would send the RCMP on a nationwide manhunt, launching Danny Wolfe to headline-topping notoriety.
The Ballad of Danny Wolfe cinematically traces the storied years of Danny Wolfe's life, from his birth in Regina to his relationship with his mother, Susan Creeley, a First Nations woman who was forever marked by her experience in the residential school system; to his first brush with the law at the age of four and then his subsequent arrests; to the creation of the Indian Posse, the street gang he founded with a handful of equally disenfranchised indigenous friends; to the dissonance Danny felt between the traditional world he was born into and the criminal one that became his life; to the dramatic tensions over power and loyalty unfolding in the gang world and within the Posse itself.
Drawing on unprecedented access to the Wolfe family and first-hand accounts from the people closest to the gang leader, Joe Friesen's portrait of Danny Wolfe is at once riveting and timely, nuanced and provocative.
In 2008, Daniel Richard Wolfe was awaiting trial on two counts of first-degree murder at the Regina Correctional Centre. This wasn't his first time in jail; from his teenage years his life had been marked by stints in and out of prison – with Danny sometimes finding his own way out. This time around, he was orchestrating his boldest move a carefully plotted escape that would send the RCMP on a nationwide manhunt, launching Danny Wolfe to headline-topping notoriety.
The Ballad of Danny Wolfe cinematically traces the storied years of Danny Wolfe's life, from his birth in Regina to his relationship with his mother, Susan Creeley, a First Nations woman who was forever marked by her experience in the residential school system; to his first brush with the law at the age of four and then his subsequent arrests; to the creation of the Indian Posse, the street gang he founded with a handful of equally disenfranchised indigenous friends; to the dissonance Danny felt between the traditional world he was born into and the criminal one that became his life; to the dramatic tensions over power and loyalty unfolding in the gang world and within the Posse itself.
Drawing on unprecedented access to the Wolfe family and first-hand accounts from the people closest to the gang leader, Joe Friesen's portrait of Danny Wolfe is at once riveting and timely, nuanced and provocative.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 17, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 8, 2016
Probably one of my favourite true crime books of all time. I live in Winnipeg (that gang fight at Unicity that Friesen talks about happened about three blocks away from me). I also work at CP Rail and the apartment where Danny grew up is a kitty-corner from where I go to work every day. My father was a Guard at Headingley jail on the night of the riot and he knew Earl (the guard severely beaten) very well. We used to go camping with his family every summer.
This book is disturbing and interesting and hits home to Winnipeg very hard. I highly recommend this book, especially if you live/are from Winnipeg and you'll be disturbed to see how much crime is happening right under our noses every day.
This book also reveals not only the dark side of crime, but the dark side of society as a whole. Friesen makes no attempts to exonerate Wolfe of his deeds by blaming his past, but Friesen certainly gives the backstory of a man who was failed as a child by his family and by society as a whole.
This book is disturbing and interesting and hits home to Winnipeg very hard. I highly recommend this book, especially if you live/are from Winnipeg and you'll be disturbed to see how much crime is happening right under our noses every day.
This book also reveals not only the dark side of crime, but the dark side of society as a whole. Friesen makes no attempts to exonerate Wolfe of his deeds by blaming his past, but Friesen certainly gives the backstory of a man who was failed as a child by his family and by society as a whole.
March 8, 2016
At one point, Danny Wolfe was Canada's most-wanted man. The Mounties combed the Prairies for weeks looking for the gang leader and his small posse after harrowing prison escape. As one of the founders of what was once Canada's biggest gang, Danny was considered armed and very dangerous. And yet, who among us knows the name Danny Wolfe? No writer or journalist has taken the time to truly understand the Indian Posse, one of the biggest criminal enterprises in the country, with loyal representation in every town, big and small, across the Prairies. Joe Friesen, a Globe and Mail reporter, has meticulously corrected this grave gap in the country's knowledge. The Ballad of Danny Wolfe takes us through the rough upbringing and violent life of Wolife and his band of young street gangsters, who have terrorized Winnipeg and other prairie communities for years. It's a rollicking read, bouncing at a thriller's pace from one tense heist to the next, but it so much more than a riveting work of true crime. Friesen is the demographics reporter for the Globe and his background shows with well-timed asides on the social and cultural backgrounds that cultivated an aboriginal gang steeped in crime and violence and indigenous pride. In Friesen's hands, we come to understand the Indian Posse as a logical extention of the long, violent relationship between aboriginals and colonizers. Dozens of gang members, investigators and other players in the saga of the Indian Posse make appearances in The Ballad of Danny Wolfe, raising it to the level of vital historical document. Read it. It's one of the most important non-fiction books to appear in Canada in years.
February 25, 2016
One of my favourite books of all time is Norman Mailer's THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG, a work of true crime that truly transcends the pulpy journalism of that genre. THE BALLAD OF DANNY WOLFE doesn't quite reach the same levels, but it comes close enough that the comparison doesn't feel forced to me. More thoughts to come.
September 11, 2021
The content of this book was amazing. You can tell the amount of work and research into the subject matter the author put in, providing an unparalleled look into the life of Indigenous gangs. My qualms are not with the content, instead with the writing. Unfortunately, it is written like a Young Adult romance novel, attempting to project Danny Wolfe as a folk-hero. This is not the way to tell this story. What the author fails to reflect on is the generations of Indigenous youth who initially sought a better life in these gangs, only to end up disproportionately incarcerated, hooked on drugs, involved in underage sex trafficking, and/or dead as a direct result of his legacy. Yes, Danny Wolfe was a man with layers and nuance, but he also had a hand in the continued and further traumatization of Indigenous peoples and he should not be celebrated for this.
August 27, 2017
A perfect example of how residential schools can eventually lead to cold-blooded killers. A sad book on many fronts.
February 7, 2017
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan in June 1976, Danny Wolfe was not quite in his teens when he and his brother Richard founded the Indian Posse. From a core group of 7, over the years it catapulted to gangland fame. There was nothing they wouldn't do to satisfy their sense of entitlement, once it got rolling.
There's pride in the outlaws...pride in fighting what they see as...the enemy. p121
Well researched, an undercurrent of admiration marks these pages, and the journalistic style is warmed by a sense that JF was accepted by these people. He never condescends but allows the story to unfold at its own pace, even though we already know it off by heart.
The mentality in policing is terrible...Enforce the law and feed the failing
criminal justice system. p159
The tendency when faced with overwhelming injustice ( colonialism, residential schools, poverty, racism, and the fallout from these ) is basically the same as when faced with any other predator: fight, flight, or freeze. Danny Wolfe was bright and resourceful. How he used these gifts was a matter of survival.It was a matter of survival that he and his brother, so often left to fend for themselves, turned to crime. When they werent frozen, avoiding detection, they were fleeing the law or fighting to assert their dignity.
His political awakening came later, after he had the chance to study the teachings of his people and reconnect with his spiritual nature. His tragic end, as much as he himself foretold it, deprived us of one who had much to contribute yet.
What could i do but be a menace? p159
There's pride in the outlaws...pride in fighting what they see as...the enemy. p121
Well researched, an undercurrent of admiration marks these pages, and the journalistic style is warmed by a sense that JF was accepted by these people. He never condescends but allows the story to unfold at its own pace, even though we already know it off by heart.
The mentality in policing is terrible...Enforce the law and feed the failing
criminal justice system. p159
The tendency when faced with overwhelming injustice ( colonialism, residential schools, poverty, racism, and the fallout from these ) is basically the same as when faced with any other predator: fight, flight, or freeze. Danny Wolfe was bright and resourceful. How he used these gifts was a matter of survival.It was a matter of survival that he and his brother, so often left to fend for themselves, turned to crime. When they werent frozen, avoiding detection, they were fleeing the law or fighting to assert their dignity.
His political awakening came later, after he had the chance to study the teachings of his people and reconnect with his spiritual nature. His tragic end, as much as he himself foretold it, deprived us of one who had much to contribute yet.
What could i do but be a menace? p159
December 28, 2016
Biography of a notorious aboriginal gang leader. The author acknowledges the brutality of the crimes committed by the gang and the devastating effects of the growth of aboriginal organized crime on First Nations communities. However, he also situates his tale in the context of the multigenerational impact of residential schools, substance abuse, and poverty. It's written in a fairly plain journalistic style and has a 'true crime' feel to it, but provides a lot of food for thought, especially around the long reach of colonialism and the realities of the penal system.
August 4, 2017
This was one of those books I COULD NOT PUT DOWN. The combination of Danny Wolfe's journey being geographically close to home and my passion for Indigenous history in Canada made for an eye-opening, informative and heart-wrenching read.
Joe Friesen begins this book with the details of Danny's plan to escape the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre in 2008. Although Danny and his brother Richard were notorious for being the founders of the Indian Posse street gang, it was this escape from the RPC where I learned his name and thus began my fascination with the HOW'S and WHY'S of Danny's rise to a nationally feared crime organization... and Joe Friesen dove into it all.
The roots of the Wolfe brothers begin with European colonization in Canada in the 1800's. What I loved about this book is that it was a clear example of how the effects of colonization snowballed over years and years of abuse to First Nations people and the Wolfe brothers were simply part of this cycle that they could not escape. To them, crime was a way of life - a way to survive the dangerous streets of Winnipeg where they grew up.
I cannot say enough about this book - it is one that I will reread again and again because the insight that can be gained by reading a book like this is essential to people living in Canada - especially the prairie provinces where this is a direct result of a despicable history. Although filled with moments of rage, disgust and shock at the horrific acts the Indian Posse committed, there was also hope - which for me, stemmed from insights from the mother of the Wolfe brothers- Susan Creely. A residential school survivor who suffered physical and sexual abuse she was immersed in the world of poverty and addiction throughout her children's lives. Today, however, she is sober and speaks out about the effects of residential schools and the importance of returning to one's cultural roots and spirituality.
This book is RAW and REAL and shows that the result of generations of pain caused by residential schools still lives on in Canada. The Ballad of Danny Wolfe offers answers to questions that many people may have about the Indian Posse, and other notorious street gangs. But most importantly, it is a direct link to a crucial, and often ignored piece of Canada's ugly history.
Joe Friesen begins this book with the details of Danny's plan to escape the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre in 2008. Although Danny and his brother Richard were notorious for being the founders of the Indian Posse street gang, it was this escape from the RPC where I learned his name and thus began my fascination with the HOW'S and WHY'S of Danny's rise to a nationally feared crime organization... and Joe Friesen dove into it all.
The roots of the Wolfe brothers begin with European colonization in Canada in the 1800's. What I loved about this book is that it was a clear example of how the effects of colonization snowballed over years and years of abuse to First Nations people and the Wolfe brothers were simply part of this cycle that they could not escape. To them, crime was a way of life - a way to survive the dangerous streets of Winnipeg where they grew up.
I cannot say enough about this book - it is one that I will reread again and again because the insight that can be gained by reading a book like this is essential to people living in Canada - especially the prairie provinces where this is a direct result of a despicable history. Although filled with moments of rage, disgust and shock at the horrific acts the Indian Posse committed, there was also hope - which for me, stemmed from insights from the mother of the Wolfe brothers- Susan Creely. A residential school survivor who suffered physical and sexual abuse she was immersed in the world of poverty and addiction throughout her children's lives. Today, however, she is sober and speaks out about the effects of residential schools and the importance of returning to one's cultural roots and spirituality.
This book is RAW and REAL and shows that the result of generations of pain caused by residential schools still lives on in Canada. The Ballad of Danny Wolfe offers answers to questions that many people may have about the Indian Posse, and other notorious street gangs. But most importantly, it is a direct link to a crucial, and often ignored piece of Canada's ugly history.
May 22, 2016
What an excellent book! Truthfully I wasn't sure going in whether this was something I'd like, but man was I surprised/impressed. Such an interesting story that hooks you right from the start. Well written and researched. I keep recommending this to friends and co-workers!
May 27, 2024
Interesting, but a bit reductive and over simplified. Would be nicer if the author allowed the audience to draw their own conclusions more instead of directly stating what he wants you to think.
Still a good read, easy to understand how Danny Wolfe became what he was given his circumstances.
Still a good read, easy to understand how Danny Wolfe became what he was given his circumstances.
August 31, 2018
This is a well written and well researched book. It gives the reader an up close and unbiased view of life as a gang member and life as many First Nation people experience. As a white woman who has been married to and has a child with a First Nation man, I have lived on the “rez” and have seen firsthand the poverty, addictions crisis and the racism that many of the people face everyday.
There are so many factors that have contributed to stories very much like the one of Danny Wolfe and the Indian Posse. Maybe one day Canada will figure out how to successfully change and fix the problem. We can only hope.
There are so many factors that have contributed to stories very much like the one of Danny Wolfe and the Indian Posse. Maybe one day Canada will figure out how to successfully change and fix the problem. We can only hope.
July 18, 2017
A hard read, but a good one. It's hard to blame him for his choices, though i wish he could have seen how destructive he chose to be to his own culture. I found the description of the interrogation especially fascinating.
August 17, 2017
A very well-written biography about a first nations gang member from Saskatchewan-Manitoba. "The Ballad" offers a shocking glimpse into Winnipeg's crime scene, and the inner workings of the Indian Posse in particular. An important book for readers interested in Canadian history, and essential reading for those interested in portraits Winnipeg.
April 12, 2024
I have finally conquered the beast!! 134 days later and I have finally finished this book. To be fair, I was limiting my reading to the slow days at work, which is partially to blame why this took so long.
Before I explain my reasoning I want to encourage everyone to pick up this book, despite my rating! My rating is largely in part to my extended reading experience, base knowledge on the subject, and extensive number of novels I have to compare it to. It contains a wealth of information about gangs, Indigenous social history, and more that I think are valuable to every reader, especially if you don't have a lot of background on these topics already.
In fact, the extensive knowledge and research this book contains is my primary reason for rating it 3 stars. Joe Friesen knows what he is talking about, which is further backed up by the man who recommended this to me, who works with gangs directly. He felt as if this was a great representation of the mindset of gangsters and explanations as to why a person might get involved in gang activity.
The book itself, however, is admittedly a bit messy. The chapters are laid out by year and while this was mostly followed, within the timeline there were jumps back and forth in time that made for a rather jarring reading experience. It was like Joe Friesen was fighting with himself and couldn't figure out if he wanted to make the novel separated topically or using a timeline. The chapters I enjoyed most (19: Interrogation, and 20: The Undercover Operation) were focused on a certain event or topic and didn't jump around like some of the other chapters did.
In addition, parts of this book dragged due to Joe Friesen repeating himself. I also was aware of a lot of this information already based on my career and degree, which was repetitious as well (though that is more of a me thing).
I am so glad to have read this so I can recommend this to others - plus I did learn a thing or two! But wow, I am ever so glad to finally get to check this off my TBR.
Before I explain my reasoning I want to encourage everyone to pick up this book, despite my rating! My rating is largely in part to my extended reading experience, base knowledge on the subject, and extensive number of novels I have to compare it to. It contains a wealth of information about gangs, Indigenous social history, and more that I think are valuable to every reader, especially if you don't have a lot of background on these topics already.
In fact, the extensive knowledge and research this book contains is my primary reason for rating it 3 stars. Joe Friesen knows what he is talking about, which is further backed up by the man who recommended this to me, who works with gangs directly. He felt as if this was a great representation of the mindset of gangsters and explanations as to why a person might get involved in gang activity.
The book itself, however, is admittedly a bit messy. The chapters are laid out by year and while this was mostly followed, within the timeline there were jumps back and forth in time that made for a rather jarring reading experience. It was like Joe Friesen was fighting with himself and couldn't figure out if he wanted to make the novel separated topically or using a timeline. The chapters I enjoyed most (19: Interrogation, and 20: The Undercover Operation) were focused on a certain event or topic and didn't jump around like some of the other chapters did.
In addition, parts of this book dragged due to Joe Friesen repeating himself. I also was aware of a lot of this information already based on my career and degree, which was repetitious as well (though that is more of a me thing).
I am so glad to have read this so I can recommend this to others - plus I did learn a thing or two! But wow, I am ever so glad to finally get to check this off my TBR.
September 7, 2020
This is a well done piece documenting the life of Danny Wolfe. It exposes a lot of systemic issues in Canada still prevalent today. Often we think that we don't have problems here but we do. Books like this are important as they highlight the grandiose level of neglect in a system that forces people to condemn themselves to a particular live fast/die young life.
Joe never tries to make Danny sound like a heroic figure, which i think is important, given his lifestyle choices. Joe does do an excellent job of showing how given another hand dealt by life, the cards woulda had Mr. Wolfe as one of the top tier people out there.
Joe never tries to make Danny sound like a heroic figure, which i think is important, given his lifestyle choices. Joe does do an excellent job of showing how given another hand dealt by life, the cards woulda had Mr. Wolfe as one of the top tier people out there.
December 17, 2024
"The Ballad of Danny Wolfe" is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of gang life that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. The author masterfully captures the harsh realities of living in a city plagued by gang violence, emphasizing how deeply entrenched these organizations can become. One of the standout themes is the idea that when gangs take hold, it often feels too late for communities to reclaim their safety. The perspective on policing is particularly striking; the narrative argues that law enforcement should focus on building relationships within the community rather than simply treating gangs as issues to be managed. This fresh mentality is a crucial takeaway that resonates throughout the book.
Additionally, the book delves into the social dynamics that contribute to gang involvement, highlighting how factors such as addiction and the historical trauma from residential schools have created cycles of violence and despair within communities. This context adds depth to the narrative, illustrating how systemic issues can lead individuals to seek belonging and identity within gangs. Overall, it's a compelling read that challenges readers to rethink the complexities of crime and community dynamics. Highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding the deeper implications of gang culture.
February 2, 2023
Riveting read, an amazing, sad, and hard-hitting biography of Danny and Richard Wolfe, brothers who were two of the founding members of the notorious gang, the Indian Posse.
It's easy for those like myself who grew up in middle class surroundings to cast judgement on those in gangs and the crimes they commit. This book challenges individuals to see the human beings beneath all of that. It asks us to remember the tragic history of First Nations people that left boys like the Wolfe brothers marked for injustice from the day they were born: Residential Schools, abuse, addictions.
Young boys, children, growing up in a tough neighborhood with little supervision, little to eat, and violence all around them. Is it any wonder that they turned to gang life?
I'm by no means excusing the horrific things that the gang members did. Or their lifestyle. But it's important to look at the root causes before we leap to judgement, and when looking at any possible solutions.
Canada has blood on its hands when it comes to its' treatment of Indigenous people, and I hope as time goes on, they do more to acknowledge, own, and heal that.
It's easy for those like myself who grew up in middle class surroundings to cast judgement on those in gangs and the crimes they commit. This book challenges individuals to see the human beings beneath all of that. It asks us to remember the tragic history of First Nations people that left boys like the Wolfe brothers marked for injustice from the day they were born: Residential Schools, abuse, addictions.
Young boys, children, growing up in a tough neighborhood with little supervision, little to eat, and violence all around them. Is it any wonder that they turned to gang life?
I'm by no means excusing the horrific things that the gang members did. Or their lifestyle. But it's important to look at the root causes before we leap to judgement, and when looking at any possible solutions.
Canada has blood on its hands when it comes to its' treatment of Indigenous people, and I hope as time goes on, they do more to acknowledge, own, and heal that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2019
Not that I now see myself as an "expert" of gang life ... nobody could be except those who live(d) it. But this book gave me a really powerful glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of Indigenous youth who get involved in street gangs, something I never really understood before. I'm glad I read this - it helps me understand better. It was a sad, sad story though. I would remark out loud as I read it through - "oh no! No way! That poor little kid!" The ending made me wish a bit I never started ... but it is the reality of many lives that get sucked into the entrapment of gang life.
September 7, 2021
Compulsively readable and always interesting, this is a great true crime book about a very complicated man who created the Indian Posse gang. Being from Regina I was interested in this story since I have recollections of some of the events in this book and I was unprepared for how well written and fair a portrayal Danny Wolfe gets here. He’s presented not just as a gang member and murderer but as a man who struggled with loneliness and family in both worlds.
Must read for true crime fans and for books that ask bigger questions about the criminal they follow.
Must read for true crime fans and for books that ask bigger questions about the criminal they follow.
March 1, 2023
A valuable insight into the domino effect of residential schools and the rise in gang violence in recent history. The writing was done well, although it was slow in some spots. Lots of language, which was to be expected because of the factual resources used but nothing else to shy away from. The author does tend to paint Danny Wolfe as troubled but ultimately innocent and heroic, a victim of his upbringing, but there's no remorse in Danny's statements about his crimes. It's definitely an interesting read because of living at the epicenter of his worst act of crime.
March 10, 2019
This was a fantastic true story. I was a little skeptical of a "Canadian outlaw" story - thinking it wouldn't be that terrible, but it was really interesting and captivating. I learned a lot about the prisons of Canada, and want to learn more. Danny is so likable, but at the same time a terrorizing and brutal criminal. I couldn't put it down. Loved it. For sure one of the best of the year!
April 18, 2020
Friesen pieces together the lives of the Wolfe brothers in a way that draws you in. I found book hard to put down! The people in this biography are described honestly and fairly. Friesen captures all sides of Danny and his family; the good and the bad. I can only imagine the amount of time Friesen spent researching and organizing interview notes for this book.
June 8, 2020
An incredible true story about a local aboriginal man, one of the founders of the Indian Posse, who infamously escaped the Regina Correctional Centre and became one of Canada's Most Wanted criminals. A compilation of personal interviews, police and media reports, this was a very thorough and objective inside look at one of Canada's most dangerous gangs.
March 17, 2025
this book hit the ball right out of the park! I couldn't stop listening once I started. This is the best title I've read out of the last 50 books that came into my life and my mind. This book is 100% worth your time and investment, from front cover to back. 5 stars and 2 thumbs up! read this book asap and you can thank me later.
June 7, 2017
This was an amazing read, well told by the author in a way that made me feel like I was reading a story, not a biography. I was with the author through every place he took me and experienced the many emotions the people in the biography experienced.
January 1, 2018
This is raw.
This happened.
This IS happening.
A fascinating and well-researched read about indigenous gangs/gang culture in Canada.
Every Canadian, especially those who work in the indigenous community should read this.
This happened.
This IS happening.
A fascinating and well-researched read about indigenous gangs/gang culture in Canada.
Every Canadian, especially those who work in the indigenous community should read this.
May 31, 2021
The names of the places, I know well. I've driven through, driven by, stopped at... many of the places that are mentioned. And yet, the world that Danny Wolfe inhabited was not my world. I'm amazed that this all happened around me, and I was oblivious. Eye opening.
May 1, 2025
5/5 Stars
A super interesting true crime coded read. I really liked that the book highlighted the socio-economic factors, generational trauma, and lack of sense of belonging that leads people to choose a life of gangs and violence.
A super interesting true crime coded read. I really liked that the book highlighted the socio-economic factors, generational trauma, and lack of sense of belonging that leads people to choose a life of gangs and violence.
Read
July 22, 2019Tough read in the stories behind the Indian Posse and other gangs. Relates to their early upbringings.
February 25, 2021
A great biography. It would have been nice to hear more of his earlier years and a few more photos would have been interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews