First Nations leaders question newly announced Sask. marshals service amidst calls for better policing

As Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan call on governments for local policing forces and resources to address safety concerns, some First Nations community organizations are raising questions about the province's newly announced marshals service.

This week, the provincial government announced the planned Saskatchewan Marshals Service — announced in last month's throne speech — will have a team of about 70 officers to support RCMP and municipal police forces, including responding to areas with high crime rates. It's expected to be operational by 2026.

Chiefs and representatives from First Nations communities and local tribal councils were at odds over the new police service, with some seeing benefits to the move and others expressing disappointment about a lack of consultation. 

"My concern is that governments sit in their office, whether it's in Regina or in Ottawa, [and] they're making policies on our behalf without our input," said Clearwater Dene Nation Chief Teddy Clarke said at a Friday news conference in Prince Albert, where northern leaders called for help to address safety crises in their communities.

"They need to understand that we live a different life in a different part of the world here … that's what they've got to base their policies on," Clarke said at the joint news conference, organized by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Prince Albert Grand Council.

He called on governments to bring leaders from northern and southern Saskatchewan to the table and allow for their input.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Vice-Chief Richard Derocher echoed a point made by Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, saying the organizations don't have enough information about the marshals service.

"We haven't discussed with our MLAs yet to see what that entails and how it's going to affect our First Nation communities in northwest Saskatchewan," Derocher said.

He said he'd hold off on voicing his opinion on the new service, but did say none of the information he has seen so far specifically mentions policing in First Nation communities.

The Prince Albert Grand Council recently signed a letter of intent with the provincial government to explore self-policing and community safety.

Lennard Busch, the executive director of the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, said he's also heard from multiple leaders and representatives who said they weren't consulted about the marshals service.

He agreed that policing needs to be bolstered, and said the services promised by the province would be helpful, but doesn't understand why a whole new agency is being introduced.

"It's just kind of a surprise to everybody as to the formation of this new marshals service," Busch told CBC.

That surprise has led to questions like why the money couldn't be used to bolster existing services, such as the RCMP.